The Department gradually introduced computer systems and literacy using whatever facilities it could afford with limited resources. Initially in the 1980s this was through training with library oriented programmes run by the Library Association of Barbados or Public Service training programmes as well as with the Barbados Community College and Erdiston Teachers College.

 

In 1998 the Department of Archives began its venture of automating its holdings. Mr. Nicholas Maftei, a consultant from Eloquent Systems in British Columbia, Canada visited the Department and trained some members of the team who would implement the programme using the GENCAT Archives System. This programme, which was purchased by the Department in 1996, is fully implemented with the multi-level requirement of the General International Standard Archival Description (ISAD (G)) and represent a practical implementation of the Rules for Archival Description (RAD) model. It also fully supports the MARC Integration Format.

 

Following the training session, a survey of the archival holdings was conducted. It was decided that the records would be subdivided among the team. Once records have been automated they will be posted to the Internet.

 

 

The Automation Team