>I am working on the proposal for the Quinault National Museum (tenative >final title). I have several questions since I am at the beginning >stages of putting all the elements together for the initial project >requirements. While I have some very basic information on formulating >the necessities for collections care, I have no hands on experience. I >do have administrative background. > >The project should have a mulitmedia language/culture instruction program >that will include video clips, random access, bilingual text, and sound >capabilities. There will be at least two machines, one for end-users an >Mone for authoring. I would like to know how others have solved this sort >of problem and what sorts of costs have been encountered. > >I am also looking for computer programs that will allow registration and >collections tracking. This should also be able to link the object >information with the documents that support it. With this system will >also be a visual collection of items (and their supporting documents) >held by other museums that relate directly to the Quinault. Since much >of the collection will be ethnocultural materials, photographs, sound and >video tapes, works on paper (books, drawings, ms, letters and so forth) >there has to be some flexibility in the system. I am hopeful that the >visual documents of other museums Quinault holdings, will allow us to be >able to give a more complete picture of Quinault workmanship and culture. > >My last question entails environmental controls and collection >protection. Since we are in a coastal area and have the salt air as a >factor, it would seem that we would have some additional requirements >than most museums. How do I go about resolving the environmental >controls for the museum? Are there specific companies that deal with >such endeavours? > >Comments, advice and guidance are greatly appreciated. I am trying to do >the best job I can to ensure the continuance of the collection, the >museum's interaction with the community and its educational mission to >build community, and to provide language/culture instruction. > >Thank you >Dave Wells >Director >Quinault National Museum Project Dave, I suggest you contact the Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ. They have a wonderful department of conservation and collections dept. Their collection is mainly S.W. Indian material. I hope this is helpful to you, R.O. Dahl May the great worm of enlightenment prosper in the compost pit of your mind. Robert O. Dahl Museum Consultant Ph:(602) 797-4752 Interpretive Planning and Design Fax: same 8421 N. Via Tioga AOL:[log in to unmask] Tucson, AZ 85704 internetaddress:[log in to unmask]