TECHNOLOGY: INNOVATION OR LIMITATION?

MUSEUM INNOVATIONS

BY: KEELAN CASHMORE

We live in a technological age. Every year there are more advances in technology. From cellphones to self-driving cars, the digital world is becoming reality. With these changes comes the advancement of technology not only for personal use, but also for commercial use.

As the digital world expands more and more museums are utilizing technology. Generally, this can help bring the museological world into the 21st century. However, there are some cases where these technologies might be more of a limitation than an innovation. A case study at The Rooms, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, illustrates some of the stumbling blocks museums professionals must overcome for new technology to be successful.

An image of The Rooms. Photo courtesy of Maureen Peters.

Two exhibitions, From This Place: Our Lives on the Land and Sea, and Here We Made a Home, were developed with the express intention of implementing new digital technology. This technology included digital labels, digital hubs, and an interactive digital map and timeline of Newfoundland and Labrador. These exhibitions were designed to embrace technology with the goal of enhancing visitor experience, providing more information, lowering costs, and expediting exhibition changeover.

But, did the addition of this technology succeed?

Somewhat.

The digital labels were designed as touchscreens that allowed visitors to access pictures and information about each object within the display case. In theory, they would increase access to more in-depth information about the objects and would decrease the need for paper labels. However, that was not the case. 

An example of a digital label. Photo courtesy of Maureen Peters.

First, the in-depth data needed to be rewritten, as it was in various forms of shorthand, and much of it was outdated. Then it was discovered that the labels and the museum’s database were not compatible. The information had to be uploaded by hand. Then the database crashed, wiping the labels. Thus, the work had to be uploaded, by hand, again. Another issue is that the touchscreens need to be re-calibrated frequently. Often a visitor will go to use the touchscreen, and nothing will happen. To combat this issue, paper labels were created, despite the original intent to eliminate them.

An image of the paper labels attached to a digital label. Photo courtesy of Maureen Peters.

Overall, the general consensus seems to be that the cost outweighs the benefit of the digital labels, as they were more time consuming than intended, and paper labels were needed anyway. 

The digital hubs were meant to provide more “cultural heritage” by encouraging visitors to listen to traditional stories and folk music. The issue with the hubs is that they are quite time consuming to complete, and the editing requires a specific software with which employees are not familiar. Because of this, new equipment had to be purchased, and employees trained. To date, only two have been completed. This leaves sections of the exhibitions empty. 

One of the working digital hubs. Photo courtesy of Maureen Peters.

Unlike the digital labels and the digital hubs, the timeline and map were successful. It did not take extra time to set up, there were no issues in developing or installing it, visitors appear to enjoy it, and it is aesthetically pleasing. The single issue with the timeline is the inability of museum staff to change the content. The initial plan was to add events as they continued to happen, but the only way to reprogram the timelines is through a firm in Toronto. Thus, new events have not been added. 

A zoomed-in image of part of the interactive timeline. Photo courtesy of Maureen Peters.

A section of the interactive timeline. Photo courtesy of Maureen Peters.

Other problems have also been mentioned, including the cost to run the machines day and night, as they cannot be turned off, the cleanliness of the touchscreens, and the fact that this “new” technology is often obsolete after a couple of years.

So, is it really worth it?

I think so. But, only if it works.

Here’s some questions to keep in mind when considering the effectiveness of implementing new technology:

1) Are the databases compatible with the software?

2) Are the employees trained in using this software? If not, am I willing to train them, or hire someone who is?

3) Does the benefit outweigh the cost?

4) If something goes wrong, am I capable of fixing it? Or will I need to call in a specialist? Is there someone at the museum well-versed in this type of technology (i.e. does the museum have an IT department)?

5) Will the visitors utilize it? Has it had success at other institutions? 

Visitors testing the new technology. Photo courtesy of Maureen Peters.

Overall, it's important to understand what type of technology is best for certain exhibitions and institutions. Being able to successfully discern and utilize the technology is what draws the line between limitation and innovation, and as the digital age continues, this line is going to become more prominent.