why is this message coming through 30 times now?


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Diane Gutenkauf" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2006 10:37 AM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Museum Library Question


I think you first need to determine WHY you have the books. Are they in =

your collection because of their historical association with people or =

events you document with your collections? Then they might be artifacts =

and, if so, treated appropriatly by cataloguing them in Past Perfect usin=
g 
manuscript collection or artifact collection standards.

If, however, you use them as books...as a reference library..to research =

your collection or museum topic or whatever... then this is a library and=
 
you'll need to retrieve the books based on Author, Title, Subject. In thi=
s 
case get help from a librarian who can catlaogue them on the Library of =

Congress system, create a card catalogue (electronic or hard copy 
depending on your resources) and then anyone who knows how to use a 
library can retrieve the books. 

I have been in this position. Just because the object is paper between tw=
o 
covers doesn't mean it should automatically be in the library collection =

or the manuscript collection. A book that was owned by the specific 
captain of a specific ship and documents what he read in his spare time i=
s 
probably an artifact. A book that helps you identify sail styles is a 
reference book and belongs in the library. 

Diane G. 
[log in to unmask]


On Mon, 10 Apr 2006 14:12:32 -0700, Aaron Micallef <[log in to unmask]> =

wrote:

>
>We are a relatively young museum that would like to get a handle on our =

book collection.  Past curators have focused exclusively on objects and =

not library materials.  Personally, my experience is with artifacts and =

not books.  I have at least 3000 volumes that need to be cataloged.  We =

use PastPerfect for our object collection.  Has anyone used PastPerfect =

for their library collection?  Do you find it useful?  If not, do you 
suggest another cataloging program?  Although ours is a non-circulating =

collection, one benefit I see to Past Perfect is that I can launch the =

collection online with the additional software they sell and not have to =

worry to much about exporting the data.  Are they any good books out ther=
e 
about how to start a museum library.  I plan on trying to rope in some =

retired librarians to help me on this, if I can find them.  I really don'=
t 
know where to begin.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance=

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).