Do you have a set of Gorham flatware? Are you a collector of silver hollowware? Are you interested in the history of industrial design? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, the Brown University Library needs your help. In an effort to more effectively meet the needs of patrons interested in using the Gorham Company Archive, the Library will be conducting a brief online survey. The Library has obtained funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services to collaborate with RISD in developing a new database architecture for the visual materials in the Gorham Company Archive that will integrate information from the business and design archives of the Gorham Manufacturing Company held at the Brown University Hay Library, the Gorham silver objects and design drawing collection at The RISD Museum, and the Gorham Company’s design resource collection housed at the RISD Library. The goal of this project is to provide online searchable access to archival drawings, sketches, object photography, and product descriptions that will enable users to identify their pieces and contribute to a database of Gorham holdings.
To help us achieve a design that will be useful to all potential patrons, we are seeking input from everyone with an interest in the Gorham database. To participate in the survey, please visit: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=shgypQeX_2b1PLoEsZIhpXEg_3d_3d
THANK YOU for contributing to the success of our project! Your cooperation is purely voluntary and greatly appreciated. For further information on the Gorham database design project, feel free to contact Holly Snyder at 401-863-1515 or Holly_Snyder@brown.edu.