We've just completed an RFP process to select a system that integrates our
manuscripts, bibliographic and museum holdings. Two systems stuck out of the
crowd: Re:Discovery, (http://www.rediscov.com/ <http://www.rediscov.com/> )
from Re:Discovery Systems, and Minisis,
(http://minisis.idrc.ca:80/minisis/minisis.htm
<http://minisis.idrc.ca:80/minisis/minisis.htm> ) from the International
Development Research Centre of Canada. Both systems support XML and have
management facilities for library, archival and curatorial holdings -- which
is to say that you can more or less mix and match MARC, EAD and neither
types of records. A lot depends on the size of your operation. Neither of
these systems could really go up against an Endeavor or Ameritech system on
the library side, but if you're small to middling in size, as we are, one of
them might be just the ticket.
______________________________________________________
Chuck Patch
Director of Systems
Historic New Orleans Collection
504/598-7116
www.hnoc.org <http://www.hnoc.org>


                -----Original Message-----
                From:   Kerstin Ringdahl [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
                Sent:   Friday, April 07, 2000 12:44 PM
                To:     [log in to unmask]
                Subject:        Automated library Systems

                We are in the beginning stages of creating needs and
assessment for a
                new
                automated library system.  We use Dynix now.  I would like
to have our
                finding
                aids as fully integrated as possible in our new system.  I
am wondering
                if anyone
                has information to share about various vendors and how a new
automated
                system
                can benefit and incorporate the archives and special
collections.  I am
                thinking
                especially of EAD encoded finding aids and photgraphs.  Does
anyone have
                a
                system that is fully integrated?  Do you have any scripts
prepared that
                you are willing to share?

                Thank you very much for your help.

                Kerstin Ringdahl
                Archives and Special Collections
                Mortvedt Library
                Pacific Lutheran University
                Tacoma, WA., 98447