>so why do we need this hand-written ledger? I also keep a hand written ledger in addition to computer tracking. I could justify it with a couple of reasons: an easy place for the Curator to look up recent acquisitions, or perhaps another way to backup information - what if the computer crashed? But the Curator could look up stuff on the computer, which gets backed up on tape and diskettes. The real reason: it makes registrars happy - carefully printing information in a big heavy book symbolizes registration. And since registrars tend to fret, I say let 'em have this one little thrill. Will Garrison Collections Manager Historic Deerfield