MAIN > SPOTLIGHT ARCHIVE > Cathy Leff (Apr 23)

Thursday 23rd April 2009 2:55 pm

Museums and Libraries Partner with Researchers to Explore Impact of Digital Media

Webwise conference draws museum and library professionals to address the big issues facing cultural institutions in a digital age. 

By Cathy Leff

For me, the highlight of this year’s Webwise conference was the gathering of researchers and museum and library practitioners. Surprisingly, there are few forums for our communities to come together to discuss mutual concerns and interests.

This year’s theme was Digital Debates, and I invite you to view any or all of the sessions and keynotes addresses at http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/webwise/090226/. Updates about post-conference information can also be found here.

While museums and libraries are trying to determine how digital technology will shape the future of our institutions, DML grantees are exploring how young people are changing as a result of digital technology, and how this will affect learning environments and the future of cultural institutions. Museums and libraries are eager to partner with researchers, either by helping to test, evaluate, and distribute research, or helping to produce and disseminate new content. Jointly, we can help build our fields and connect many sectors.

One of the major themes that surfaced across WebWise sessions was the recognition that museum and libraries must become more user-focused to remain relevant to today’s audiences, particularly youth.  How and why an institution chooses to engage in blogging, social media sites, virtual worlds, and other technologies were among the topics of debate.

The Wolfsonian-Florida International University was thrilled to have had the opportunity to shape the past two Webwise conferences. We learned so much, and we already have initiated conversations with several DML grantees. The museum and library communities are eager to seek your collaboration and expertise, and to extend our own experience to you as we begin to shape our own future.

Leff is the director of The Wolfsonian-Florida International University, a museum and research center focusing on how decorative arts, material culture, and design help shape our interpretation of the world. The Wolfsonian co-hosted the 2009 WebWise Conference. Past Spotlight posts about the conference are available here and here.

Category: Unexpected

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