Documenting Your Collections
Info-Muse Network Documentation Guide

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Object Name (Identification)

Definition:

Observations:

1. N.B.: The Object Name field should contain the standardized name of the object and no description.
   Example

   A silver 10-cent Canadian coin

   	Object Name	coin
   	Object Type	10 cents
   	Material	metal, silver
   	Originating Country	Canada

2. If the object name consists of several terms inextricably associated with the object, insert them in the Object Name field.
   Example

   	Object Name	earring
   	and not
   	Object Name	ring
   	Object Type	ear

3. For better search results in your database, avoid a large variety of terms; draw up an authority list and add keywords as necessary.
4. Ideally, there should be one record for each object.
   Example

   Two projectile points from the same set
   Record for the first projectile point

   	Accession Number	1964.3.1
   	Object Name	projectile point
   	Quantity	1

   Record for the second projectile point

   	Accession Number	1964.3.2
   	Object Name	projectile point
   	Quantity	1

5. If you have a number of similar objects, you may create a single documentation record. In that case, you will have to enter the name of the object in this field and enter an interval in the Accession Number field.
   Example

   One record for twenty-four glass beads acquired at the same time in 1992

   	Accession Number	1992.1-24
   	Object Name	bead
   	Quantity	24
   	Material	glass

Entry rules:

1. Enter the name in the singular form unless the name is usually in the plural.
   Example

   	Object Name	tree shear
   	but
   	Object Name	sewing shears

2. Use capitals when required by the spelling for the name.
3. Do not use quotation marks, slashes, commas, parentheses or brackets. Use hyphens only as required for spelling the name.
   Example

   	Object Name	cup ?
   	and not
   	Object Name	cup (or mug)
   	but
   	Object Name	hurdy-gurdy
   	and not
   	Object Name	hurdy gurdy

4. If you are unsure whether your information is correct, include a space and a question mark after the keyword.
   Example

   	Object Name	lamp ?

5. This field may not contain more than one entry.