Dear all,
We are currently investigating the possible implementation of electronic
cataloguing into our office.
We would be very grateful for any feedback from a small repository like
ourselves who has recently been through the same process. The most obvious
options at the moment seem to be EAD and CALM. We would be interested to learn
how either of these have been introduced (either from scratch or using
converted data in existing formats, especially Access). If other options have
been investigated or implemented, we would also like to know. What kind of
experiences have different offices had with varying levels of IT support? How
successful were pre-planning and costings, and how would you change now how
the system you have was introduced and planned?
We are especially interested in learning about online catalogues which have
been created via an electronic cataloguing system. What is the experience that
offices have had in practical terms of converting data from CALM to EAD or
HTML? What problems were encountered in designing a public interface, and in
ensuring that search facilities complied with the specifications of the
original design? What about linkage to existing library catalogues (e.g. in
universities)?
Any pointers would be gratefully accepted! I realise that CALM and EAD lists
specifically do exist, but at the moment I am aiming for the general overview.
I shall report back on my findings for the list in due course.
Many thanks,
Charlotte Berry
Charlotte Berry
Archivist
Special Collections
Old Library
University of Exeter
Prince of Wales Road
EXETER EX4 4PX
tel: 01392 262096 or direct 01392 263879
fax: 01392 263871
email: [log in to unmask]
|