Apologies for the inevitable cross-posting, but some of you may find it interesting MIDAS - A Manual and Data Standard for Monument Inventories Published by the Royal Commission on the Historic Monuments of England MIDAS is set to become the defining framework for records of the nation s built and archaeological heritage. Developed by experts in records management, in consultation with a wide variety of record holding bodies from across the heritage sector, the manual and data standard have been written with both the specialist and non-specialist in mind. The wealth of the built, buried and maritime heritage means that anyone reading this manual is unlikely to be more than 200 metres from a monument of historic or archaeological interest. To interpret what is known, to communicate it to society, and to identify and protect and manage what remains, consistent organised records are needed - inventories of the nation s monuments that are accessible, useful and adaptable. The MIDAS vision is 'sharing the knowledge of England s past'. The objectives are: To enhance retrieval of information (particularly automated retrieval) from inventories. To provide a common format for monument-related inventories, ensuring that important information is recorded. To promote consistency within a given inventory and between monument inventories. To facilitate the exchange of information between inventories. To assist in the migration of inventories from old information systems to new. To increase the opportunities for the evolution of inventories, ensuring their survival and relevance as technologies change. Reviewers comments "The section on 'Getting Started' would be of genuine assistance to anyone setting up a new inventory". Ken Qualmann, Winchester Museums Service.. "I think in general this is an excellent document which has very laudable aims". Mike Heyworth, Council for British Archaeology "...will be very useful to us in setting up our tiles database". Dr Lynn Pearson, Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society Published January 1998 ISBN 1 873592 33 7 131 A4 pages with illustrations, loose-leaf, bound in a customised ring-binder. Price stlg10.00 plus stlg2.50 postage and packing To order contact RCHME Publications by phone on 01793 414618, fax 01793 414769 or email [log in to unmask] David Dawson email: [log in to unmask] - - - - - - - Outreach Manager, Museum Documentation Association NEW ADDRESS - 1 Hitchman Drive, Chipping Norton, OX7 5BG Telephone 01608 645576 MAIN MDA OFFICE - Jupiter House, Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JD Tel: (+44) 1223 315760 Fax: (+44) 1223 362521 MDA WEB SITE - http://www.open.gov.uk/mdocassn/index.htm