Thanks to the replies I have received about this. I actually agree that it
would be far preferable to have our database online - in this way it is
fully updateable and reaches a wider audience than is possible through CDs.
Our problem remains that of sustainability. We can find development costs
for the creation of websites, development of computer catalogues and the
creation of resources such as CDs, through funding such as the DCF scheme.
What we cannot do through funding is find people to pay ongoing costs of
hosting. As an independent museum, a web presence is vital, and we can
support costs of maintaining a "normal" website. However, as I understand
it, the costs will rise significantly to host an online database, and are
an ongoing month on month, year on year cost. We may be able to get a
database up online through time limited funding, but we cannot guarantee to
keep it online unless we can secure outside assistance or find someone to
host it at a nominal fee. What is worse - to put up a database online and
then take it down, or not to bother at all???? This is a problem specific
to those museums that do not have access to large local authority or
academic servers (and IT support), and to judge from Alistair's response,
it is going to be an increasing problem for many of us as we become more
and more involved in the use of IT to deliver access to our collections.
Sarah
Sarah Jillings
Curator of Collection
Jewish Museum, London
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