Online Museum Classes
Description:
Nearly every museum uses a computer to store information about its collection. But is it the best system? How do database programs differ? What makes things easier? And what doesn't. Collection Management Databases helps you decide what's essential by exploring the most common systems used in museums and discussing their pros and cons.
Course Outline:
1. Introduction
2. Essential Fields
3. Other Fields
4. Nomenclature and Consistency
5. Commercial vs. Homemade
6. Searches
7. Transferring data between programs
8. The systems:
A. SNAP!
B. Argus
C. Willoughby
D. Access
E. Filemaker Pro (National Park Service)
F. Past Perfect
9. Conclusion
Logistics:
Participants in Collection Management Databases work through sections on their own. Instructor Eric Swanson is available for scheduled email support. Materials and resources include online literature, slide lectures and dialog between students and online chats led by the instructor. The course is limited to 20 participants.
Collection Management Databases runs four weeks. Please sign up at http://www.museumclasses.org and pay at http://www.collectioncare.org/tas/tas.html If you have trouble with either, please contact Helen Alten at helen@collectioncare.org
The Instructor:
Eric Swanson works as a computer consultant for museums, libraries, non-profits and businesses and has designed and built Web pages since 1995. His work experience includes stints as the first Webmaster for the Minnesota Historical Society in 1997 and creating computer inventories of statewide historic structures, archeological sites and National Register of Historic Places for the state of Minnesota. Eric has worked with Northern States Conservation Center since 1997 as a consultant and Web designer. He has a degree in history from Colorado State University.
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