Lab Museum Design & Interpretation - Is the Future of Museums and Libraries open content? - Comments

Where else would museums go?

Kati Singel — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 07:52:04 -0600

The progression of interpretation in museums has steadily increased in value from open storage to interpretative exhibits that attempt to engage the visitors in a physical space. Without the invention of the internet, where would museums have gone next? The virtual exhibit does not replace the physical exhibit, it expands upon it. It can be assumed that museum curators long feared this step into the virtual world because they feared that this virtual space would serve as a replacement for their physical space. Although the American public may be enamoured with the internet for the sake of fitting their explorative efforts into their busy schedules, museums in their traditional form will not cease to exist. People explore because they wish they could be there, which means, some of these explorers will become visitors.

For further exploration:

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma05/macdonald/museums/interp.html

Not sure if I entirely

Elizabeth Flaig — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:37:41 -0600

Not sure if I entirely understand this article. I find the phrase "curators of understanding" a very courious phrase. The Internet does allow users of museums and libraries open access. It also depends on the meaning of open access.

Happy Blogging!

Betsy

Is the Future of Museums and Libraries open content?

Jim Groom — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:05:29 -0600

George Siemens, from elearnspace, has posted the following provacative thoughts about the future of libraries and museums: