[Genealib] CD-ROMs Revisited

[Nancy Maxwell]

Good Day, List:

I'm going to resurrect the CD-ROM issue and ask if anyone out there has 
a CD-ROM budget and/or buys them on a regular basis.  Our library 
heartily endorses their purchase, and a lot of that has to do with 
space-saving.  I even have a separate CD-ROM budget.

We also have a very supportive in-house systems administration whose 
services I deeply appreciate, as I know what it's like to deal with this 
media format in a library setting.  Besides the staff computer, we have 
six PCs for public genealogical use.  I know how critical it is to have 
systems support in this matter.  How much does systems support play into 
whether or not you buy CDs?

We've talked here extensively about the future of data storage, and in 
whatever format it takes, it will take the use of a computer to access 
it.  Right now, CDs are a cheaper way to make books and other data 
accessible.  Preservation will never cease to be an issue, and the 
formats it takes will always be changing.  Who knows what lies beyond 
the computer? For here and now, the CD seems to be the most 
cost-effective way to go.

Anyway, that's my view.  If you buy these little disks, I'd be 
interested to read your reasons for doing so.

Thanks!

Nancy

"Those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of 
conflict have not learned their history."  ~Joan Wallach Scott

-- 

Nancy Maxwell, Genealogy Librarian

Frances Pittman Malcolm Genealogy Room

Grapevine Public Library

1201 Municipal Way

Grapevine, TX 76051

Voice: 817-410-3429

Fax: 817-410-3084

E-mail: nmaxwell at grapevine.lib.tx.us