W2D-020 Irish Jewish Museum-2.txt
THE COMPUTERISATION OF THE MUSEUM ARTIFACTS

As many of you may already know, we are computerising the artifacts and archives of the museum. As there is limited storage space on the premises, it was decided that it would be impractical to hold paper records. Therefore all data is being stored on the computer's hard disk and is backed up on floppy disks.

Thanks to the Co-Ordinator of the Clondalkin and Ballyfermot FAS project, Brendan Teeling, we have a Data Base III plus programme which has been customised for our particular purposes.

Due to having some past experience, the computing has become a major element of my work at the museum. Currently we are inputting entries for each item in the Synagogue section of the museum, a task which is nearing completion. The speed at which we are progressing is entirely due to the "user friendly" nature of the DBase programme.

When all the records have been stored in the computer's memory, it will be necessary to devise a programme which allows the information to be readily accessible to anyone wishing to use it. This will involve the creation of standard "search headings". By this I mean that all information relating to common topics will be stored under the same heading. This will ensure that the data will be in the most accessible form possible.

In the long term, the records will be available for the purpose of serious research, and above all there will be a working catalogue of the contents of the museum available to all. This will help to ensure that a permanent record of the Irish Jewish Community will be retained for future generations.

If anyone is particularly interested in this aspect of the project, call to the museum where I would be more than willing to arrange a time to give a demonstration. Rosemary Horan
