back to Contents Page
HMM Newsletter - No. 13, 1997 ISSN 1036-3041


Coming to grips with cataloguing

(Continued from Contents Page)


Workshop participants came to several conclusions. First, they decided that the most suitable cataloguing system for small health and medicine museums was the system set out in 'The small museums cataloguing manual', published by Arts Victoria. This cataloguing system involves Museum Catalogue Worksheets that can be filled in manually. However there is also a related computer database, INMAGIC, for those who wish to set up their catalogue on computer.

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:

    Registration number
    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

It would help museums to standardise their object names if they could refer to an Object list (or Object thesaurus). However it appears that no satisfactory object thesaurus for health and medicine museums exists. Each museum may have to develop its own thesaurus which will reflect its own collection specialties. A possible long-term project for HMM would be to collate these into a Health and medicine museums object thesaurus.

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.

Contents Page Next Page


Back to HMM Home Page] Published by the Australian Science Archives Project on ASAPWeb, 1 August 1998
Prepared by: Lisa Cianci

Date modified: 10 August 1998
[ Top of page | HMM Home Page | ASAPWeb ]