MDA has announced the publication of two new white papers highlighting the 
importance of terminology issues in the management and use of museum 
collections.  

"Terminology for Museum Managers" details the strategic benefits of
using standardised terminologies and describes how this can support
knowledge sharing within the heritage community. Such benefits
include:

* The ability to retrieve information quickly and simply

* A standards-compliant approach which supports applications for
Museum Accreditation

* Better-managed intellectual property leading to greater opportunities for 
commercial activity  

* Enhanced ability to publish information and make collections visible online   

"Terminology for Museum Staff" sets out how the use of standardised 
terminologies can aid the work of museum staff such as conservators, 
education officers, volunteers and front of house staff, by improving the flow 
of information between areas of curatorial expertise and departments.  

Gordon McKenna, MDA Standards and Systems Manager, commented, 'These 
new resources have been designed to give museum documentation specialists 
the tools they need to persuade their managers and other colleagues of the 
importance and usefulness of terminology in achieving national standards in 
information management.'  

The white papers have been published as part of SPECTRUM Terminology, 
MDA's free online service, which also contains guidance on creating thesauri, 
alongside a number of existing standard terminologies and general information 
on the use of terminology for museums.  

For further information about SPECTRUM Terminology, and to view the
white papers, visit:

http://www.mda.org.uk/spectrum-terminology/termess.htm


*******************************************************
 Gordon McKenna  e-mail: [log in to unmask]   
 MDA       
 The Spectrum Building, 
 The Michael Young Centre, 
 Purbeck Road          
 Cambridge CB2 2PD, UK
 
 Tel:    +44 1223 415760
 Fax:    +44 1223 415960  

Setting the standard for managing collections information
*************** http://www.mda.org.uk/ ****************

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