SFMOMA uses a similar typical system but we no longer use the "batch" method which had--for us--formerly referred to a group of objects given by a single donor. We have local variations that group objects that need to be shown together like a multi-part sculpture (we use a letter series: 2000.19.A-F) or prints in a portfolio, which can be taken apart and shown separately (2000.20.1-99).
Our digital asset management system displays the accession number for each object, but it links behind the scenes based on the CMS' internal ID number. That way the Media Library doesn't get confused if something changes--it always links back to EmbARK's internal ID number. For those of us who don't think in binary code, we like seeing the "human readable" number, which is meaningful to us; and we let the machine deal with the internal numbers. This seems to be universal throughout our staff, whether they are curators, info management, or IT--we all use the same vocabulary. Sounds like we are on the same page with you guys, Robert. Marla Misunas Collections Information Manager Collections Information and Access San Francisco Museum of Modern Art 415-357-4186 (voice) Check out SFMOMA Collections Online www.sfmoma.org __________________________________ Past President, Museum Computer Network http://www.mcn.edu -----Original Message----- From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Robert Mason Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 7:04 AM To: 'mcn-l at mcn.edu' Subject: Re: [MCN-L] "meaningless" inventory numbers Here at the Royal Ontario Museum we have a system in which we have the year as the first element, then a batch number, and then the unique identifier, sometimes with a further number for multiple component objects. The IT dept, however, likes to use the unique identifier from the database, which is just a number, so the curatorial types are always talking about the "Accession number" and the IT people are always talking about the "RID#". Curatorial resists this, however, as people actually remember what the numbers mean, for instance I know that accession number 988.117.32 would be an artefact from excavations in Fustat, Egypt - all the 988.117. numbers are. Similarly people can remember specific objects and their histories from the accession number. So personally, I'd have to say meaningful numbers are a good thing. On the database, however, any link to the main museum image bank, the web, etc is done through IT's RID#, so in a way, we have the both of both worlds, but as lo ng as you make sure you have a meaningful number that is unique for each object, it should work without a meaningless number. Robert Mason _____________________________________________ Dr. Robert B. J. Mason (E-mail: robm at rom.on.ca; fax (416) 586-5877) Dept of World Cultures, Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C6, CANADA Associate Professor, Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, University of Toronto, 4 Bancroft Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1C1, CANADA web: http://www.utoronto.ca/nmc/mason/mason.html >>> Bas Nederveen <B.Nederveen at rijksmuseum.nl> 8/7/2008 6:54 AM >>> "meaningless" inventory numbers The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is exploring the possibility to introduce "meaningless" inventory numbers, i.e. plain numbers without any references to additional information, such as for example purchase date, department or object status. We would therefore like to get in contact with institutions which have experience in this matter. Since this matter relates to database management it seemed appropriate to try MCN-L. We are particularly interested in the following: How do you catalogue related items such as services or (photo's in) photo albums? These item usually have a group record and separate object records. How do you record relations between them? Are you facing difficulties in daily practice if information can no longer be deduced from the inventory number? For example in your warehouse, while documenting etc. Are related object still easy to find (without immediate access to a computer)? What do your inventory numbers look like? Are you following any (inter)national standards? Sincerely, Bas Nederveen Drs. B. Nederveen Documentalist, Afdeling Collectieregistratie & Documentatie Documentalist, Registration & Documentation Department T +31 (0)20 67 47 230 Bezoekadres/Visitors' address Frans van Mierisstraat 92, 1071 RZ Amsterdam Vrijdag afwezig/Fridays absent De Meesterwerken/ The Masterpieces Rijksmuseum is dagelijks open van 9-18 uur. Op vrijdag van 9-20.30 uur met speciaal avondprogramma. Rijksmuseum is open daily from 9 am - 6 pm. On Friday from 9 am to 8.30 pm. www.rijksmuseum.nl<http://www.rijksmuseum.nl ( http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/ )> _______________________________________ Rijksmuseum Postbus/PO Box 74888, 1070 DN Amsterdam Nederland / The Netherlands T +31 (0) 20 6747000 F +31 (0) 20 6747001 www.rijksmuseum.nl<http://www.rijksmuseum.nl/> _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l _______________________________________________ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l The information contained in this electronic mail message (including any attachments) is confidential information that may be covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC Sections 2510-2521, intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above, and may be privileged. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication, or the taking of any action based on it, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify me and delete the original message. Thank you
