the museum and the researcher in the information age: problem – solution – bonus
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The Museum and the Researcher in the information age:
problem – solution – bonus
MA conference 2009
Sally Curry – Research Information Network
sally.curry@rin.ac.uk
The Museum and the Researcher
Research Information Network (RIN) Background Setting The Problem What researchers really, really want Solutions: Doing more with less – or
with different tools and facilities Bonus: a win, win, win situation (for
researchers, for museums and for UK research)
RIN – Research Information Network
Support effective information strategies and practices for the UK research community
Conduct research and provide guidance Focus: all subject areas Report: Discovering physical objects:
meeting researchers’ needs The study of objects and artefacts is as
important as ever
The traditional Museum
Museums’ traditional role - Private collections of scholars and
gentlemen Acquisition, conservation, curation and
exhibition of objects and artefacts Research and scholarship was of
primary importance Researchers: Museums’ principal
users Curators: scholars in their chosen
fields
The Museum today
Museums are now increasingly focussed on broadening their user base
Focus now on increasing footfall and access to the wider community
The era of the scholar curator is dwindling in many museums, new skills are valued
Funding often at a low level Staff numbers are decreasing
The DCMS view of the museum
“Ensuring that children have the opportunity to enjoy a vibrant cultural and sporting life
Opening institutions to the widest possible cross section of people
Ensuring that the creative, leisure and tourist industries provide the maximum possible benefit to the economy
Ensuring our museums and galleries are exciting, modern and provide real value for money”
The Researcher and the Museum
The study of objects and artefacts is just as important as it ever was
Researchers are a small proportion of the museum audience
Researchers are harder to support than schools and families(?)
The benefits they bring may be harder to capture and slower in coming
What researchers really, really want
Catalogues/online databases (Most researchers are unaware of online catalogues that have already been developed)
Online information to enable them to plan their visits to museums
Consistency in arrangements for direct access to museum objects
Contact with curatorial staff
Researcher needs and Solutions (1)
Provision of online access information for researchers
But this will lead to a deluge of requests…
Simple additional information on your website
Capturing requests from researchers to improve the information provided
Wiltshire Heritage Museum Researcher’s Charter
Contacting the Museum
Making an appointment and length of notice required
Curatorial staff time available
Equipment and facilities available
Restrictions on use of objects including destructive analysis and sampling
Loan arrangements
Access to stored objects
Access to related documentation
Facilities to browse collections
Information researchers are expected to provide
Handling restrictions
Photography
Copy of research requested
Response to Researcher’s Charter
"I found it very useful. A thorough description of policies, practices and facilities and quite the most comprehensive I've encountered from a museum."
Researcher’s needs and Solutions (2)
Provision of access to museum records
They are incomplete Comprehensiveness coverage more important
than perfection in each record Allow researchers to add to and amend the
content of the records
They contain sensitive information Most systems allow the suppression of sensitive
data
Man and schoolboys outside F.J. Palmer & Sons department store
East Lothian Museums Photostream
Round up: helping researchers to help your museum
Provide clear and open policies on access for researchers
Get catalogue records online quickly Establish systems to allow researchers
to enhance records and also how to handling such input
National funders should work to support projects to develop and enhance high-quality online catalogues
Links from the presentation RIN www.rin.ac.uk Discovering physical objects – RIN website and search for
‘Discovering objects’ www.rin.ac.uk/our-work/using-and-accessing-information-resources/discovering-physical-objects-meeting-researchers-
DCMS: www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/museums_and_galleries/default.aspx
Wiltshire Heritage Researchers’ Charter: www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk/services/index.php?Action=6
Powerhouse Museum on Flickr :www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/
Smithsonian on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/smithsonian/
National Maritime Museums on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmaritimemuseum/
East Lothian Museums: www.eastlothianmuseums.org
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