At 08:34 AM 6/25/96 -0600, you wrote: >>Regarding the question about why your registrar was still keeping a bound >>accession book when you already have the information on assorted sheets of >>paper that were legally binding and/or more comprehensive than the book: >>1. Just tradition - the base of the title registrar is, I believe, that >>the registrar is the one who keeps the register. >>2. Convenient, easy access. The book puts, in place, the major facts >>about a string of accessions, whereas the legally binding documents >>deal with the exhibits one at a time. >>3. This is a variation of 2 (above), but I had an assistant once who >>had her own disaster plan. In the event of a fire, fire drill, or >> anything that caused us to clear the building quickly, the accession >>book was what she would take with her. >> Our registrar uses the hand/note book to better track numbers. You cannot automatically go down 96.1.1 or 96.2.1-58, ect., since when adding items to the collection, you never know how many items are coming in on each accession. The hand-written book allows better tracking. If I want who gave us a blanket in 1996, it would be easier to check the handwritten long than searching the files. It gives you a quicker access to information on demand. Also, in order the total number of accessioned arifacts at your finger tips. We do not have the luxury of a computerized system, yet. We list only the Number, Donor, Date, and a BRIEF discription of the artifact such as clothing item or blanket. John Martinson [log in to unmask] Work: Fort Walla Walla Museum 755 Myra Rd Walla Walla, WA 99364 (509) 525-7703 (Work)