----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Shirley, One of the first things you MUST do is to listen to what it is the critics are saying, that is, what specifics they point to as negatives of the program. Then look very honestly at the points they bring up. This is your "baby" and it is extremely hard to be critical about it. Then you need to address the facts (not the emotion) of their concerns. The second best ammunition is to relate it all to money. How much is saved by the existence of the database. The very best is if you can show how the database benefits THEM. Get letters from your users which address the valuation they put on the service and what the cost would be to them if the service did not exist. It is hard to deal with this kind of situation when you know your solution is the best way to go. It is especially hard when, in spite of all your efforts, the others still manage to take it away. Especially when you consider the cost involved of re-creating it after it has been lost and they realized you were right. Best of luck. Debbie Lords [log in to unmask] Marriott Library University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT 84112