Οnline Access to Digital Collections – Design and Use of Museum Databases, VSMM 2008 (2024)

STUDYING THE TYPE OF ONLINE ACCESS PROVIDED TO MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

cidoc.mediahost.org

STUDYING THE TYPE OF ONLINE ACCESS PROVIDED TO MUSEUM COLLECTIONS, CIDOC 2008, The Digital Curation of Cultural Heritage, Athens 2008

cidoc.mediahost.org, 2008

Information and Communication Technologies offer considerable possibilities for supporting cultural institutions, in terms of conservation, dissemination and communication with different audiences. One of the most widespread technological developments has been the creation of institutional museum websites. However, simple static websites are proving insufficient for fulfilling the expectations of digital users, as these increasingly ask for wider inclusion and greater versatility in the presentation of collections and related information. The current trend for cultural organisations is to move in this direction, providing web access to their collection information systems, as part of a wider effort to increase public access to collections for diverse audiences. However, the effectiveness of these tools has not been tested so far, nor has its use been examined in depth. This paper is part of a wider research project, aiming at studying how digital cultural collections are used by end users and identifying some clearer patterns of use. This will be related with the various communication and technological approaches adopted by museums in presenting their collections on the web. The results presented here are part of a broader discussion about accessibility, dissemination, and use of cultural information by different users in various contexts.

The Website as a Virtual Host of the Museum: A Comparative Study (Three National Museums Meet Digital Audiences). Cultural and Historical Heritage: Preservation, Presentation, Digitalization (KIN Journal), volume 9, issue 2, 2023, p. 24-37. ISSN 2367-8038

The article focuses on analyzing the websites of three prominent national museums in Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia. These websites are examined within the broader context of the cultural institutions' activities, as they hold significant importance in the cultural infrastructure of their respective neighboring Balkan countries. A comparison table is utilized to establish evaluation criteria for the digital platforms, with a particular emphasis on content. The article extensively characterizes the sections dedicated to the main and temporary exhibitions, which play a crucial role in facilitating digital engagement with both existing and potential audiences. The chosen approaches for showcasing museum teams and collections are also scrutinized. In addition, gaps and inconsistencies are identified by comparing these websites with others in the museum domain. The evaluation of video materials and digital tours of the exhibitions adheres to the high standards set by modern digital technologies in the cultural sector. Consequently, the article concludes by formulating three recommendations aimed at enhancing the websites of the national history museums in Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia. These recommendations are intended to address the identified shortcomings and improve the overall digital experience provided by these institutions. Пълнотекстов достъп до статията: http://www.math.bas.bg/vt/kin/

DOSSIER " ICT and Heritage " Use of Websites to Increase Access and Develop Audiences in Museums: Experiences in British National Museums.

Digithum, 2005

Many authors argue that digital technologies, and particularly the World Wide Web, have great potential to serve the challenges faced by museums in relation to access and audience development, which involves reaching and nurturing both existing and new audiences. But what initiatives are there, and how effective are they? What strategies and actions are museums undertaking to take advantage of this potential? What is it being done to establish closer ties with core audiences or to attract new audiences? And what is the audience response to the museums' efforts? The British experience in this field is of particular interest because it shows a political context favourable to the development of this emerging area of museum work, and it provides some remarkable and exemplary cases from which to learn good practices.

Analysis of Users' Access to Museums Websites - Comparison of Weblogs, VSMM 2009, 15th International Conference on Virtual Systems and Multimedia, Vienna, 9-12 September 2009

2009

Web Strategy in Museums: An Italian Survey Stimulates New Visions

Museum International, 2018

A Survey of Museums on the Web: Who Uses Museum Websites

Curator: The Museum Journal, 1999

The Internet is a means of global communication that has revolutionized the dissemination and retrieval of information. As the public becomes technologically savvy, museums have the opportunity to use new technology to expand their reach. This article profiles both the average Internet user and average museum Website visitor. The Internet has the potential to amplify enrichment by making museums more universally accessible.

Museums on the Web: Exploring the past for the future

RESAW 2023: Exploring the Archived Web During a Highly Transformative Age, 2023

This panel sheds light on the histories of museums on the Web. The advent of online technologies has changed the way museums manage collections and access them, shape exhibitions, and build communities and participation. Aspects can be found in histories about museums and digital technologies (see for example Parry, 2007; 2009; Cameron, 2003; Cameron & Kenderdine, 2010; Bowen, 2010). However, scant attention has been given to how museums’ online presence has developed over time, from the mid-1990s to the present. This panel presents different perspectives in the history of museums on the Web. What can we learn from the pioneering virtual museums and online exhibitions? How did (information) architecture and museums websites develop over time? And how have online collections been built, circulated, and made accessible? Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, museums enhanced their digital activities and the importance of the Web to engage with audiences was felt throughout the sector. Furthermore, in today’s fast-changing digital landscape, museums are facing new challenges such as the rise of AI and the semantic Web. By engaging with the past, we can enhance our understanding of how museums are functioning today and offer new perspectives for future developments. Therefore, this panel explores the past, but with an eye on the future. This panel coincides with the release of a Double Special Issue “Museums on the Web” in the journal Internet Histories: Digital Technology, Culture and Society (Taylor & Francis).

The future of museums in the digital age: new models of access and use of digital collections

Digital cultural heritage – challenging museums, archives and users