Done in summer and fall of 2008, the CNSA Archives Management Software Review Report reviewed 6 software programs for managing the functions of accessioning and description. The CNSA is pleased to make this report available as a tool for archivists to evaluate software programs and make informed purchasing decisions.

The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) has released a more indepth report in Jan 2009: Archival Management Software by Lisa Spiro.

Archives Management Software Review Report:

• Executive Summary (7 p.) [PDF]
• Full Report (79 p.) [PDF]
• Template of Factors to Consider (4 p.) [PDF] [RTF]

Want to tell us your opinion?

Software Reviewed

• Archives Online 3
• Archivists' Toolkit 1.1
• Archon 2.2
• PastPerfect 4.0
• Re:discovery Proficio 8.6
• STAR/Archives 4.0

Laptop of Demos

CNSA members can borrow a laptop pre-loaded with demonstration copies of the software programs above. Contact the Archives Advisor to make arrangements.

Borrowing procedures

• check that you are a General or Institutional CNSA member in good standing
• contact the Archives Advisor with your preferred dates
• sign an agreement with CNSA promising to use the laptop only for its intended purpose and to return it in the same condition it was lent out
• make arrangements to pick up the laptop from the CNSA Office (Halifax,NS) OR to courier the laptop to you
• return the laptop at end of borrowing period (usually 3 weeks)
• member is responsible for all charges incurred for pick-up and delivery
• fill out the Feedback Form

Funding for this study was obtained from the Provincial Archival Development Program provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage and administered through Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management. The CNSA gratefully acknowledges this support.