Your Media Libraries

Separate libraries should be maintained for printed matter, Images, video, and any other media. The preferred method of storage media is CD-ROM. This is much simpler to use and is less costly than using magnetic storage or Zip drives. For practicallity only one library is usually stored on a CD; however, multiple libraries may sometimes be stored on a single CD-ROM disc as a finished project should space permit on the CD.

Building Your Image Library

A book or publication may contain dozens, or hundreds, or even thousands of Images, photos, maps, and illustrations. Storing and then retrieving these Images at a future date in an easy and accessible maner is essential. Large publications may require five or ten CD's just for image storage and transfer. This is the easiest method for transfering your files to a commercial printer or other location by delivery or mail. A clear and logical data storage system is essential for ease of access by any authorized persons.
     Very large image libraries necessitate a comuter data storage and retrieval system either on-site or remote, but the actual use of parts of your overall library as needed is best facilitated with CD-Rom's for transfer of your files to third-parties. Electronic transfer of your files may not always be possible or practical due to lack of proper compatible equipment and software at either end, or the lack of operator knowledge at either end.

Accessing your files quickly and easily--any specific file out of thousands of files--by any authorized persons, is critical and paramount. A file indexing or cataloging system for naming and catagorizing each individual file is necessary. File names and catagory names are optimized when the name is identifiable in and of itself. Call an apple "Apple". Call fruit image #4 "Fruit4". Call a photo of the fruit stand "Fruit Stand". Keep it simple.