[NHCOLL-L:1748] Re: FW: collections management....

[Diane Gutenkauf]

I'm sending this to the list, as well as Mr. Schuck, because I suspect it's of some general interest.

Perhaps the best place to start researching available Collections Management systems is CHIN (Canadian Heritage Information Network) at <http://www.chin.gc.ca/e_main_menu.html>

They review and certify systems and publish a comparison of the several dozen commercially available packages. The site also includes great information on how to chose a system that meets your needs. 

Until you understand what you need a system to do, it doesn't matter what someone else's favorite software is. Their needs aren't necessarily yours. 

I'd also caution that one be aware of the difference between a database (i.e. Access) and a CMS (Collections Management System). A CMS is a series of programs, designed to perform specific functions, built on a database. 

Regards, 
Diane Gutenkauf


>>> Bob Glotzhober <bglotzhober at OHIOHISTORY.ORG> 10/29/02 12:22PM >>>
Below is a request from Ray Schuck of Ohio Northern University for
information on  collection databases that may be specific to collections, or
to biological collections.  I have already corresponded to him regarding
Horizon by Epixtech and Access by Microsoft.  Any info or recommnedations
pro or con for various other database sysems should be sent directly to Ray
at    
r-schuck at onu.edu 



> ===========================================
> Robert C. Glotzhober			bglotzhober at ohiohistory.org 
> Curator of Natural History		phone  614 297-2633
> Ohio Historical Society			fax       614 297-2233
> 1982 Velma Avenue
> Columbus  OH  43211-2497
> 
> Visit the Web Site of the Ohio Historical Society at
> http://www.ohiohistory.org/ 
> 
> Visit the Web Page of the Ohio Odonata Society (dragonflies & damselflies)
> at
>    http://mcnet.marietta.edu/~odonata/index.html 
> 	Learn about our new book: The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Ohio 
	View some images of the actual pages and a table of contents. 
	Most important, ordering information is presented.
http://mcnet.marietta.edu/~odonata/book/books.html 




> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Ray [SMTP:r-schuck at onu.edu] 
> Sent:	Monday, October 28, 2002 12:03 PM
> To:	Bob Glotzhober
> Subject:	collections management....
> 
> Hello Bob....
> 
> I have been hired (after retiring from the Allen County Museum a couple
> years ago) by Ohio Northern to both teach and develop a management program
> for their collections.  I have already completed the various policies, and
> am now focusing on the actual process of maintaining the collections.  Our
> Biology Department has an extensive collection of material, and has it
> fairly well accounted for in a database program.  The program, however, is
> rather outdated and not as informative as it could be.  Thus...I am
> seeking
> your advise on a software program that might meet their needs.  They are
> recording information based on:  family, genus, common name, type,
> species,
> number of specimens, preservatives, collection sites, etc.  I believe a
> simplified database program specifically designed for biological specimens
> (if such exists) would be perfect.  Could you please help me with this.
> Thank you!
> Ray 
> 
> 
> Ray Schuck,
> Assistant Professor of History,
> Collections Specialist, and 
> Field School Archaeologist
> 
> Ohio Northern University
> Ada, Ohio 45810
> 419-772-2095 (office)
> r-schuck at onu.edu