We create a Virtual Object record to send to our website to represent a work (such as a tea set) that has many individual parts, each with their own object record. We do not want to send all the individual records, particularly if there is only a group image for the set.

Also, we strive to post on our website, as soon after accessioning as possible, text and images of our new acquisitions. To accommodate this schedule, we occasionally create a Virtual Object to represent large groups of similar objects that were acquired at the same time from the same donor, but are too numerous to catalogue and photograph quickly enough for early posting. An example of this is a Virtual Object record with an image that represents a group of 20,000 Japanese Postcards. Once photographed and catalogued, the postcard records will go to the web and the Virtual Object record will be removed.

Linda Pulliam
Manager of Collections Information
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

-----Original Message-----
From: The Museum System (TMS) Users
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Susan Garton
Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2004 9:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Use of Virtual Objects, Object Groups, Object Level and
Components


I am interested to know if--and how--others are using Virtual Objects. We are considering using them for objects like books that contain numerous catalogued works, or for objects that have works on both recto and verso. This has led to a renewed discussion of the use of components, object level and objects groups (created by making object-to-object links.) If anyone has advice on this issue, I would appreciate it.

Thanks...and Happy 2004 to everyone!

Susan Foster Garton
Data Administrator
Center for Electronic Research and Outreach Services
National Portrait Gallery
Tel:  (202) 275-1842
Fax:  (202) 275-1907
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