The things I like about Excel (been using it since forever) are the ease of use and flexibility. You can search, filter, do custom printed reports, protect the file or parts of it (important if other people are using it), find duplicates, and, best of all, import the file to a different program later if you want to. You can also write macros (mini-programs using the built-in language) to automate tasks, and create forms for data entry.
The possible drawback I could see is putting the file somewhere that students can use it, but that may not be an issue for you.
Years ago I used Excel as part of a project to log a huge prop collection, which ultimately resulted in an on-line searchable inventory, complete with photos. You can read about the project on my blog, at
https://setdesignandtech.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/organizing-your-prop-collection/You were asking about what fields to enter. Here's my first-pass take on that:
Name of play
Author
Publisher ("I know it was a comedy by Sam French, but I can't think of the title")
Genre
Cast size (You can do this as a single number, as M/W, or some other way)
Number of locations (How many "sets")
Notes (Anything else that comes to mind)
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George F. Ledo
Set designer
www.setdesignandtech.wordpress.comwww.georgefledo.nethttp://astore.amazon.com/sdtbookstore-20------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-08-2018 10:10
From: Emily Olson
Subject: Library program for cataloging scripts?
I haven't used it for this specific purpose, but I have a library cataloging app that I use for my home library called Book Buddy that I enjoy. I know there are other apps out there that work similarly.
There are definitely things that would be helpful features for a classroom library that it does not have, so it would not be a perfect solution, but it may be worth exploring. You can try it for free. The free version stores up to 50 books. If you like it you can pay for the full version which was somewhere around $5.00, I think.
The app allows you to categorize books by genre, and you can create your own tags so that might be a way to sort by cast size, etc. It also has pictures of the book covers which can be helpful. Another cool feature is that it will store books that you have loaned out to people (and keep track of who you lent them to). The app has a scan feature but the problem is that scripts (especially older ones) often don't come up on the search so then I have to enter them manually, which can be pretty tedious.
I think the one thing that you would like it to do that it can't is have it available to be searched by all your students. It is searchable, but only within the app. I suppose if you have a class ipad or something, that would be ok, but otherwise the kids would have to use your phone, which is not ideal at all. So, like I said, not a perfect solution, but something that may be worth exploring. There may be other apps out there that are similar and maybe even closer to what you are looking for.
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Emily Olson
Theatre Arts Teacher and Director
Fort Stockton, TX
Original Message:
Sent: 05-07-2018 15:18
From: Kenneth Buswell
Subject: Library program for cataloging scripts?
I have amassed a ton of scripts and would like to catalog them so students can search by genre, cast size, and other parameters. I know I could start a spreadsheet, but that doesn't seem like the best way to keep track of our scripts. Does anyone have a program they use for this? Or, if you use a spreadsheet, what parameters do you put into it?
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Ken Buswell
Drama Teacher
Peachtree City, GA
http://mcintoshtheater.org/
Theater kills ignorance
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