I am writing a paper on how controlled vocabularies function in an automated collections management system. I work at the Detroit Institute of Arts, which has used two different automated systems in the last fifteen years and is about to upgrade to a newer version of our collections management software. We have had some experience using controlled vocabularies in an automated environment, but I am very interested in hearing from staff at other museums (and not necessarily art museums) who have automated systems and use controlled vocabularies. Among other things, I would like to know if you are using some of the established vocabularies (AAT, Nomenclature, etc.) or have you created your own vocabularies? Are you happy with the results and do you believe tht the controlled vocabularies have accomplished what you intended to accomplish, i.e., greater access to the objects in your collection, more precise use of language, etc. Have there been unexpected benefits or problems? What do you wish you had known before starting the process? Please contact me off-list at [log in to unmask] Thank you for your help. Roberta Frey Gilboe Documentation Coordinator Registrars Office Detroit Institute of Arts 5200 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48202