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	bedside table
   	and not
   	Object Name	table
   	Object Type	bedside

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 soup plates from the same set
   Record for the first plate

   	Accession Number	1964.3.1
   	Object Name	soup plate
   	Quantity	1

   Record for the second plate

   	Accession Number	1964.3.2
   	Object Name	soup plate
   	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 four identical soup plates acquired together in 1992

   	Accession Number	1992.5-8
   	Object Name	soup plate
   	Quantity	4

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.
   Example

   	Object Name	French horn
   	and not
   	Object Name	french horn

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	paper press ?

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