Just use the wizard embedded in Access. I will give you the steps: * Open Access and you will have a pop-up come up asking you if you want to create a new database or use an old database. * The first two options are for the new database. One says 'Blank access database' and the next one says 'Access database wizards, projects and pages. * Chose 'Access database wizards, projects and pages'. * Click OK. * You will have a new pop-up called NEW with two tabs. Click on the one that says 'Databases' if it is not already chosen. * Double click on Inventory Control. * You will be given a variety of databases to choose from. I chose 'My Company Information' and obviously you will have to change the names of the fields but that comes in a step or two later. * The next step asks you to pick a style. Style does not matter in the long run except for your eyes. Pick one that is easy on your eyes. My suggestion is that you stay away from all the brilliant white ones. * Same with the next step. Pick what will be easy on your eyes. * Now in the next step, you can do something relevant. Pick the name for your database. Make it easy. Mine is Synagogue Library. * At this point you may want to include your congregational logo. If you do, then click on the box that says, "Yes, I would like to include a picture". * The next box states that Access wizard has all the information it needs to build your database and gives you the option to start or not. Don't panic. Let the wizard start the database and click Finish. * Let it do its thing. It will take a minute. * Now you will get a pop-up telling you to put in the basics about your database: Name, address, city, state, etc. * After you enter that information, what I do is close it up then go back into Access. Stupid, I know, but I always for get where to go after that. * Open up your library database. There are two windows that will open up. Choose the one that says MicroSoft Access - [Library )*&^%$_(*& : Database]. * On the side of this window, you will see a column that says, Tables, Queries, Forms, Reports, etc. Choose Pages. * Choose the second option which says, "Create data access page by using wizard" * That will take you to a window called, Page Wizard. * Use most of the catagories from all the different types of Tables. Remember that this is your basic database and you will want to know who it was ordered from, who borrowed it, when it is due, what section you keep it in, and a myriad of other things. In fact, I use most of the catagories from all the tables. * At this point, let me reenforce the fact that you will be changing these names shortly. You will see - just hold on to your hat. Later on you can make a table for suppliers, acquisitions, etc. Access is very maleable. * You are now at the catagorization window * From here I will let you decide you would like to design it. Remember that you will need to have information in your database about acquisition, borrowing/lending, the Elezar system, the cutter system, what section you have it in (Children, Reserves, Folio, etc.), when you lost or took it out of your collection, purchase order, date, supplier, shipping method, ANYTHING that might have to do with a book you will need to put that in this database. Later on you can do queries about purchases, borrowing, etc. and 'divide up' so to speak, all the information.
Now, there are programs out there that you can use such as Surpass. However, I could not get permission from my board to use them nor could I get the money. Set up takes a little work but it can be done. Just remember that you will be putting in this database everything you want to know about every item in your library. B'Shalom, Rivka Strom [EMAIL PROTECTED] =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
