The head of the largest museum in the United States said that online technology is an untapped opportunity for museums, libraries, and other public institutions.
Wayne Clough, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., kicked off a project to take advantage of cutting-edge technology to bring exhibits to people in new and engaging ways. He said there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes in museums that can be shared online.
“There are hundreds of talented people at work behind the museum walls, and still others in far-flung field research activities out of sight. Their fascinating work is largely invisible to the public," he said.
In addition, a substantial portion of the Smithsonian’s collection isn’t on exhibit at any given time. For those materials and for the behind-scenes activities of Smithsonian staff, online exhibits and videos are a rich opportunity.
“Digital technology could certainly flip the model and let the public in," he said.
In one ongoing project, the Smithsonian is taking 3-D images of parts of its collection, allowing online patrons to zoom in and circle around objects from the collection. Clough said he hopes to digitize 14 million objects from the Smithsonian’s collection for a start -- though that will take some time.
Clough said he wants the Smithsonian to take the lead when it comes to online museum exhibits, but his museum isn’t alone.
“Many of our colleagues in museums, libraries and archives are following the same path," he siad.
Clough recounts the Smithsonian’s efforts in a new e-book, "Best of Both Worlds: Museums, Libraries, and Archives in a Digital Age."
