[NHCOLL-L:1020] Museum Database Administrator

[Richard Monk]

Dear List,

I apologize for dredging this topic up again; it's probably been discussed 
before, but sometimes time adds new perspective...

The Museum of Texas Tech University is considering adding a full-time staff 
position to deal with institutional databases (both administrative and 
collection oriented).  Duties of this position would include:

planning, development, and initiation of databases and database management 
systems
training staff in their proper use
development of Internet and Intranet applications to access collection 
databases
security of databases
development (research) of standards to be used in TTU collection databases
training staff on topics such as data standards, verification of accuracy, etc.
teaching Museum Data Management
other duties specific to activities at TTU

The person in this position would not be responsible for maintaining DATA, 
would not enter, manipulate, or output data.  He or she would train 
collection users how to do those tasks themselves.

There would be other duties dealing with the museum administration.


I know that other museums have these duties, but I assume that most deal 
with them as we have done at TTU up to now-- make them a part of the duties 
of the collection manager(s) or the registrar.

If there are any of you who do have a similar position to what I've 
described above, please contact me so we can discuss the scope (limits) of 
the position.  Also, what title does this position have and (here's the big 
question!) what is the salary range?

In my mind, there is a world difference between "Database Administrator" 
and "Network Administrator" (even though the two must work together 
closely).  One deals with data structures, standards, access, and etc. 
while the other deals with hardware and software that enables the machines 
to communicate effectively.  How do your institutions deal with this?  I 
assume that very few museums have the resources to create both positions.

Thanks for your input.
Richard

Richard Monk
Curator of Collections
Natural Science Research Laboratory
Museum of Texas Tech University
Phone:  (806)742-2486
FAX:  (806)742-0362
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