Museum Studies

LIS 6711 Research Methods in Library and Information Science

Research Proposal for Evaluating the Community Impact of Museums

This research proposal outlines a study to evaluate the impact of museums on the populations of their surrounding communities. It contains a literature review that discusses existing scholarship on the impact of museum outreach programs on specific populations, as well as an explanation of how this proposed study would differ from existing scholarship and research. The proposed study would entail an analysis of three museums in St. Petersburg, FL that are within three distinctly different neighborhoods. Data would be gathered on the population demographics and quality of life measurable variables in the five years before and after each museum's opening. The data will be cross analyzed with the museum’s existing outreach programs to determine if the programs had a positive or negative effect on the population.

LIS 5268 Microcomputer Applications for Libraries and Information Centers

Technology Use in Museums: A Past, Present, and Future Analysis

As information and computer technology has developed, it has steadily impacted the way that museums educate their visitors, preserve and catalog their collection, and contribute to research. Initially, technology was integrated into museums through audio-guide devices and other automated ways of distributing information to visitors. Computers were also used to assist curators and archivists in cataloging museum collections into a central database. The internet allowed museums to share their collections to a wider audience, and mobile apps allow them to customize their visitor experiences. Innovative technologies like 3D printing, virtual reality, and holograms have further expanded the capacities of museums in their goals to educate and preserve.