The IAS board is seeking feedback from users of the Illinois Inventory of Archaeological Sites by clicking here to take a short survey.  The data available at present are housed on a computer at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that is managed by Central Management Services (CMS), except for the site forms and reports which are housed on a machine at the Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center (ISM). Other data available now includes overlays for watersheds, soil survey data, GLO vegetation, cemeteries, plats and aerials. Site reports (new sites, site revisits and site corrections) are still processed by ISM.

We are interested in what functions you find most useful, how easy you find submitting site reports, issues and options for accessing the database, and any search or other database functions.

We would like to remind you that any database is the product of the information submitted to it (the good old GIGO situation). It is important that we keep the site file as up-to-date and as accurate as possible. This includes resubmitting site revisit forms following Phase II testing and Phase III mitigation, with topographic maps that clearly show the area of the site tested or mitigated. This also applies to additional surface surveys of previously recorded sites. Likewise, if you find any inaccurate information on the site file database, please submit a site correction form.

Site file information should be sent to Nick Klobuchar, and can be sent electronically. Nick asks that you ensure that any topographic maps are at the correct scale (1:24,000) and of high enough quality that section lines etc. are clear. There are PDFs on how to submit site form information, including new map guidelines, on the IAS website under "Resources and Links." It is our responsibility as IAS members to submit this information, including all revisits and any corrections.

Finally, if you have any problems with the site file database (access, broken links etc.) please contact Nick Kobuchar (klob@museum.state.il.us; tel: 217 524 0328) or Mike Wiant (wiant@museum.state.il.us; tel: 309 547 3721).

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey, which is anonymous. The survey will close May 10, 2014.

Clare Tolmie