[October 2, 2007] NETOP, a museum/library electronic catalog is now available to provide public access to the diverse holdings of the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS).  Researchers can now use NETOP to locate materials relating to the history of RI in the form of books, manuscripts, film, newspapers, maps, museum objects, paintings, textiles, furniture, and much more through a single catalog interface.  The catalog can be accessed world wide through the RIHS website. While NETOP currently describes only a portion of the RIHS holdings, new items will be added every day.  This is a monumental first step toward a complete migration in the future of the RIHS paper card catalog--which originated over 185 years ago with the founding of the Society in 1822.

This project was made possible by a $75,000 Museums for America grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The funds were put toward purchasing an advanced software package and data conversion services. The Society matched the IMLS funds with over 5,400 staff hours.  The project consisted of 12 phases and began in 2003. The cross-collection management capabilities of the software are unmatched in existing U.S. institutions.