At Manchester Archives and Local Studies, we have almost completed an HLF-funded project to increase the size of our digital image collection from 10,000 to 77,000; at present, around 74,000 images can be viewed by our visitors. The images consist of photographs drawings, paintings, watercolours etc. The system we use can also incorporate maps but we have not taken this up yet.

We currently have five public access terminals sited in our Local Studies Unit. The software supplied by House of Images, is in use at a variety of locations e.g. Chester, Sheffield, Kirklees and Trafford. Richard Bond, Archives and Local Studies Officer, Central Library, St. Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD, Tel 0161 234 1960 Fax 0161 234 1927. If you would like to air your news, views or comments in our November to January publication, please ensure your news reaches us by October 15th 2000. We look forward to hearing from you.

Run-Time CD-ROM

House of Images have recently released an improved version of their run-time software. This latest version will allow users to create databases which can be mastered to CD-ROM for sale or distribution to schools, local history societies etc. The first user of this program are Lincolnshire County Council who have created a CD of paintings of Windmills by the local artist Karl Wood. The first copies went on sale at the recently held Lincolnshire County Show. Existing users of HOI software can purchase a license to create their own productions or alternatively HOI can carry out the complete process from start to finish. Don’t forget if you have any news you wish to see published in our next edition then send it to us at the address overleaf. Alternatively you can e-mail us news@hoimages.co.uk. Please ensure your news reaches us before 6th October 2000. http://www.nw.wea.org.uk/clic.htm