Concord Consortium Blog

Dr. William Barnett of the Chicago Field Museum gave a brown bag lunch at CC on the topic of Museums and Technology. 

Summary

Museums have a great public value that is intrinsic to our society. Museums, however, are traditional organizations, many dating back intellectually to the age of discovery.   Natural history museums are still perceived by the American populace as 'Dead Zoos' of collections. The rapid development of online content, portable technologies, and changing modes of public information consumption and creation have been a challenge for our traditional delivery of informal education and entertainment. Museums can best respond by understanding the impact on these trends for knowledge providers, rethinking their role in creating public value, and by strategic partnerships with other organizations.