We enter similar data into the Medium field (with the exception of the
support, which we put in the support field) but we also enter medium data in
the term attributes with a term type of medium, so that it is more easily
searchable.  That way the thesaurus hierarchy can be utilized say if you
wanted to find all intaglio prints, you can choose to include narrower
terms, such as engravings and etchings.  It also helps to standardize the
data entry because staff are choosing from an authority (usually AAT).  The
actual Medium field then is mainly for display purposes and the term
attributes for searching purposes.

Grace Murakami, Associate Registrar
Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
310 443 7071 (Tel.)
310 443 7079 (Fax)
[log in to unmask]

-----Original Message-----
From: The Museum System (TMS) Users [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Delahunty, Caroline
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 12:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: TMS - Medium and School fields

Dear All

I have recently joined the National Gallery of Ireland as their TMS Officer.
At the moment we have over 740 unique entries in the medium field and over
150 in the school field.  We would like to simplify these and wonder if any
of you are able to offer advice on agreed standards/how your institution
deals with this data.

The data in the medium field includes the support as well eg 'oil on
canvas', 'watercolour on paper', 'watercolour on vellum'.

It also includes colours eg 'Red chalk on beige paper', 'Red chalk with
white highlights on beige paper'.  These are probably best recorded
elsewhere?

Many thanks

Caroline Delahunty
TMS Officer
National Gallery of Ireland
Merrion Square West
Dublin 2
Ireland
tel: 00 353 1 632 5525




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