Coming to grips with cataloguing
(Continued from Contents Page)
Next, they decided that it is not absolutely necessary to enter information under ever heading (or field) on the Museum Cataloguing Worksheet. The worksheet should be adapted to suit each museum's own priorities. Nevertheless, they recommended that a number of fields were essential when cataloguing objects in health and medicine collections. The recommended minimal data set is as follows:
Object name Storage location Current location Brief description, including size Key search terms - subject headings and key names Attach photograph (and record negative No.) History of object Condition of object Acquisition details (e.g. whether it is a donation or purchase; source) Acquisition date Cataloguer's name, and date of cataloguing
Likewise, no satisfactory Subject thesaurus for health and medicine museums exists. The HMM National Committee would like to compile a list of subject headings for health and medicine museums. A draft list was commenced at the workshop and the committee would welcome comments and additions from HMM members. HMM members who would like a copy of the full report of the Coming to grips with cataloguing workshop should end a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Megan Hicks, Hon. secretary HMM, c/- Powerhouse Museum, PO Box K346, Haymarket NSW 1238. Mark your envelope 'Cataloguing workshop'. The small museums cataloguing manual: a guide to cataloguing museum collections, 3rd edition, 1996, was published by Arts Victoria - Department of Premier and Cabinet. It is available for purchase for $10.00 plus $10.00 for postage and handling from Museums Australia (Victorian Branch), GPO Box 4936, Melbourne, VIC 3001. Tel. 03 9651 6768. INMAGIC system for museums, art galleries and historical societies is available from Triad Data Magic Pty Ltd, PO Box 727 South Melbourne VIC 3205. Phone 03 9696 4866. Fax 03 9696 4869. Museums Australia members in NSW and Victoria can also contact their MA state branch office to find out more about Inmagic and to get details of a special offer that Triad is making to Museums Australia members on the Inmagic DB/ TextWorks Museum Package.
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