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