[MCN-L] Advice on advanced degree for museum technology
I would suggest an MLIS as well - The MLIS program at Drexel University (On-Line)is worth looking at. Plenty of classes available on Archiving, Digital Preservation, Database development, new technologies, virtualization, management of electronic resources, Web 2.0, XML, just about anything you are interested in. When I left libraries behind and entered the museum world I was amazed at how well the courses I took I at Drexel prepared me for this position. Good luck, Narda "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." - Dr. Seuss Narda McKeen LaClair Technology Administrator Shelburne Museum PO Box 10 Shelburne, VT, 05482 (802)985-3346 x3196 Original Message- From: mcn-l-bounces at mcn.edu [mailto:mcn-l-boun...@mcn.edu] On Behalf Of Zickuhr, Kristine Sent: Thursday, May 28, 2009 3:24 PM To: mcn-l at mcn.edu Subject: [MCN-L] Advice on advanced degree for museum technology Hi everyone, Could anyone offer advice on an advanced degree that would helpful for working with emerging museum technology? I've considered a Masters in Museum Studies but the curriculum seems too broad. I'm a Registrar and I'm particularly interested in digital image standards, rotational photography, online databases, virtualization, etc.. We have IT staff at my current institution but I'd like to try to keep up. I know enough to be dangerous, but that's about it! Is anyone aware of a program that merges technology and the arts or humanities? Or is there a straight technology degree or certificate that you would recommend instead? An online degree or one offered in Wisconsin would be particularly helpful. Thank you for your input. Kristine Zickuhr Wisconsin Veterans Museum ___ You are currently subscribed to mcn-l, the listserv of the Museum Computer Network (http://www.mcn.edu) To post to this list, send messages to: mcn-l at mcn.edu To unsubscribe or change mcn-l delivery options visit: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/mailman/listinfo/mcn-l The MCN-L archives can be found at: http://toronto.mediatrope.com/pipermail/mcn-l/
[MCN-L] Strategic Technology Plans Update
Sounds like several of us are working on technology plans! At last count there were at least 4 requests for any Strategic Technology Plans that people were willing to share. Two wonderful people shared responses with advice and they are listed below. If any one else would be willing to share their words of wisdom, it is evident that many of us would greatly appreciate it! >From Chuck Eisenhardt, Director of IT, Boston Children's Museum: When I was at the MOS Boston, I was facing a similar need in a very large institution. I needed to create linkage between growing breakneck technology utilization, budget, and strategy. I went through the Corporation Handbook for members with even a hint of promise of technology expertise. Our Director worked his magic on this list and convened a technology committee of high-tech Board, Overseers, even emeritus members. At Children's Museum we are working to develop a similar connection. If you have a board committee for Finance, as your probably do, why not Technology? We found that Board and Overseers were *thrilled* to be involved for their experience and ideas, and not just for their financial support. They may be wary of a standing committee, but you can create a plan to convene in a scattering of meetings over say, a year, and come away with from the process not so much with a sheaf of paper (that's nice, too) but with new visibility and appreciation of your technology initiatives throughout the organization. Chuck Eisenhardt Director of IT Boston Children's Museum >From Ari Davidow, Jewish Women's Archive: It took us a couple of months to draft the first plan. Now we spend a couple of weeks a year updating it. The technology plan built on an existing Strategic Plan for the organization. There is a reasonably-long (~15-20 pages) exposition of what we're trying to do, then appendices mapping to our strategic plan, very simple budget, etc. Note that we are a very small organization and that we didn't have to cover standard IT stuff--just mission-related IT (preservation, web, databases, etc.). The primary participants were me (Dir. Online Strategy), and senior management, with me doing the writing, others turning it into non-technical wording, and our COO helping with the budget. The goal is specifically to figure what we want to be able to spend, what our contingencies are (if too few funds), what we'll use to measure whether we are reaching our goals, etc. We use this doc to show to potential funders when we want them to understand where their money is needed. For all that, I don't know that any funders have ever seen the whole document. Usually I roll a 1-2 page summary for specific purposes. In-house, however, this is the document that helps us hold the "what did we accomplish last year? Is that what we meant to accomplish? Is it what we should have accomplished? How does this change where we expect to see ourselves next year, two years from now, in 5 years?" conversations that are vital (and help us also hold conversations like, "what happens if this building burns down. how do we recover our digital assets." Hope this helps, ari Thanks again for the input! Narda McKeen LaClair Technology Administrator Shelburne Museum PO Box 10 Shelburne, VT, 05482 (802)985-3346 x3196
[MCN-L] Strategic Technology Plans
Hello all, Our organization is just starting the discussion about developing a technology plan. It is obvious from the first conversation that there are varying visions for what this plan will include and how long it will take us to craft it. Would anyone be willing to share their wisdom and experiences in developing this document? Specifically I am interested in knowing who was involved and how long did it take? What was the scope of your plan? If anyone is willing to share a copy of their plan I would be thrilled. My email is listed below. Thank you in advance, Narda Narda McKeen LaClair Technology Administrator Shelburne Museum PO Box 10 Shelburne, VT, 05482 (802)985-3346 x3196 nmckeen-laclair at shelburnemuseum.org
[MCN-L] Touch Screen Technologies
Hello all, We are trying to set up an interactive listening station that would give the visitor a chance to use a touch screen to choose between a few audio stories that are represented by visuals. The goal would be to have listening wands or headsets available as well. I would appreciate any advice on the simplest way to do this as well as recommendations regarding equipment. We do have some equipment on hand and would be interested to know if anyone has used a combination of a BrightSign Interactive Sign Controller with a Tyco LCD TouchMonitor to create something similar. Thanks, Narda Narda McKeen LaClair Technical Administrator Shelburne Museum "Rebooting is a wonder drug - it fixes almost everything." ~Garrett Hazel, "Help Desk Blues," 2002
