I have sent the following message to both the VRA and CAAH lists and
thought that some of you might be interested in this message also.
 
------ - Forwarded Message Follows - - - - - - -
 
 
The lastest issue of the journal Computers and the History of Art has
just been published.  It will be, hopefully, of great interest to all
visual resource professionals and is titled, "Image Databases
in North America" and includes articles by many of our colleagues.
 
The Journal is published by Harwood Academic Publishers GmbH in
association with the professional organization, Computers and the
History of Art.  Subscriptions to the journal can be obtained from
the publishers:
 
    Harwood Academic Publishers
    P.O. Box 786
    Cooper Station
    New York, NY 10276
 
    or:
 
    P.O. Box 90
    Reading
    Berkshire RG1 8JL
    England
 
VOLUME 4, PART 2  (published 1994)
 
Issue Editor:  Marlene E. Gordon, The University of Michigan-Dearborn
 
 
JOSEPH A. BUSCH, Getty Art History Information Program
 
"How to Choose Among Alternative Technologies for Physical Access to
Art Images"
 
Abstract:
 
Managing a photographic archive means not only the acquisition,
processing, storage, and retrieval of pictures, but also the
collection, researching, and recording of contextual information that
makes the pictures an accessible, useful resource for researchers.
The problem of how to manage collections of images, particularly
pictures of works of art, is considered from a records management
point of view in order to be able to make sound decisions.  The types
of information that could be useful in improving access to pictorial
collections of works of art are discussed, available technologies for
managing both the visual and textual information they contain are
described, and some factors that might influence desicions on what
mass storage and dissemination medium would be feasible for physical
access to a visual archive of images of works of art are enumerated.
The factors are then used to create a model in which proposed
assumptions can be tested and modified to produce different results.
 
JOY BLOUIN, The University of Michigan
 
"Michigan Image Cataloging System Software
 
Abstract:
 
The Michigan Image Cataloging System, MICS, was developed by visual
resouces curators at the University of Michigan in response to their
desire to effectively serve the Department of the History of Art's
teaching program.  However, as the development of the program
progressed, the curators realized that the software not only satisfied
their unique needs, but had evolved into a very valuable collection
management tool for similar collections at other institutions.
Therefore, in 1988 the resulting software was copyrighted by the
University of Michigan and available for purchase to other
institutions through the university's Technology Management Office.
Because MICS was developed by curators responsible for the
organization of an image collection, its uniqueness lies in its
sensitivity and responsiveness to the automation needs of the visual
resources community.  This sensitivity is reflected both in the
software and the documentation written to accompany the program.
 
This paper discusses the history of the development of the MICS
software at the University of Michigan, profiles the menu design
which allows the user easy access into and through the program, and
suggests proposed enhancements designed to help visual resources
professinals meet the continually evolving needs of managing image
collections.
 
NORINE DUNCAN, BROWN UNIVERSITY
 
"Visual Resource Management System: Software for Cataloging Art
Slides"
 
Abstract:
 
VRMS (Visual Resource Management System) is a menu-driven software
program for cataloging individual art slides.  The databases created
are fully relationnal, and all fields are searchable.  Labels and
reports can be printed, with various format options available.  The
author, Curator of the Art Slide Library at Brwon University,
provides illustrations showing the implementation of VRMS in her
collection.  The activities of the VRMS Users' Group are described
including efforts to work cooperatively to develop standards for
implementation so that sharing of catalog records can be facilitated.
 With comments from the software designer, Ron Reimers, the
improvements expected in the 1994 release of Version 3.0 are
discussed.
 
ELIZABETH O'DONNELL, Dartmouth College
 
"An Unconventional Slide Collection Database"
 
Abstract:
 
This article describes the development of a database for the Art
History Department Slide Collection of Dartmouth College, Hanover,
New Hampshire.  Issues which influenced the choice of hardware and
software for the project are disscussed.  The multi-file design of
the database is described in detail.  The rationale for entering
authority data first, followed by retrospective entry of specific
areas of the collection is explained.  The author speculates on the
future evolution of the database should share cataloging finally
become a reality for visual resources collections.
 
MARYLY SNOW, University of California at Berkeley
 
"SPIRO and ImageQuery at the University of California at Berkeley"
 
Abstract:
 
SPIRO (Slide and Photograph Image Retrieval Online) is the
Architecture Slide Library's visual online public access catalog at
the University of California at Berkeley.  SPIRO utilizes ImageQuery,
an image-oriented database access system developed at the University
of California at Berkeley for access to its numerous image and object
collections.  This article describes SPRIRO's front-end, ImageQuery,
with emphasis on its features and future enhancements.
 
BRENDA MCEACHERN, University of Western Ontario
 
"Automation of the Visual Arts Department Slide Library at the
University of Western Ontario"
 
Abstract:
 
In 1989, the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada, awarded
the Slide Curator a three-year grant to automate the Visual Arts
Department Slide Library.  With over 86,000 slide records on the
database, the Slide Library at Western is one of the largest
automated visual resource collections in Canada.  The system uses
DataEase software on a Novell network.  A single data-entry form for
slide records makes data entry and retrieval fast and efficient.
Shelf cards and labels are produced with DataEase then edited in
WordPerfect.  Revisions to the manual system divided the Modern Art
section, produced new format for owner names, and change B.C. dating
methods.  Authority files for artist, owners, sources, and subjects
verify data entered in the SLIDES FORM.  Source files, linked to the
University library system, support research by faculty and students.
Search programmes make images more accessible and promote inter-
disciplinary studies.
 
WILLIAM A. BROOM, Duke University
 
"Duke University's Art-Image Database and Viewing Resource and Issues
Addressed During its Development"
 
Abstract:
 
Technical developments in electronic imaging technology already
provide valuable new tools for students and scholars of art and art
history.  Until prepackaged systems which employ standardized
technology and meet the needs of many diverse users are commonly
available in the marketplace, many institutions wishing to employ this
technology must develop their own solution from an emerging wealth
of options.
 
Determining which specific technical solutions are appropriate in a
specific situation depends upon an analysis of critical criteria.
These include mission objectives, availability of appropriate
software, technological concerns and emering standards, hardware
options, networking, technical support, staffing, image sources, and
funding for initial installation, maintenance, upgrading and
expansion of services.
 
These issues were addressed by Duke Univeristy during the development
of a successful electronic art image study resource.  Many issues
addressed by Duke during its project development are briefly
explained in this article.
 
SCOTT BELL, California State University at Long Beach
 
"Strategies for the Introduction of Image Databases in the Creation
of Art History Tutorials at California State University at Long Beach"
 
In an era of shrinking revenues and increased enrollments, the
California State University system has turned to networked multimedia
databases and collaborative learning strategies as possible
components of a new approach to higher education.  Members of the
Cal. State Long Beach Art Department have developed a model project
which relies on a highly trained core of graduate students who work
with Art History faculty in the deveolopment of computer based
tutorials.  The digital images for these tutorials are the building
blocks for, what will eventually be, a "Virtual Library" of images
tied to data.  The author described the strategic approach to
building a constituency for the project, and a tactical guide for its
implementation.
 
The next issue of Computers and the History of Art, Vol.5, Part 1,
will include some of the papers from the December conference and some
additional papers.
 
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the journal or
the organization, Computers and the History of Art.
 
Marlene Gordon
University of Michigan-Dearborn
[log in to unmask]