{"id":4381,"date":"2017-10-12T14:52:21","date_gmt":"2017-10-12T13:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.popcomms.com\/pop\/?p=4381"},"modified":"2021-09-29T11:25:27","modified_gmt":"2021-09-29T10:25:27","slug":"looking-ways-increase-accessibility-museum-gallery-archives-visitors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.popcomms.com\/pop\/looking-ways-increase-accessibility-museum-gallery-archives-visitors\/","title":{"rendered":"How to increase accessibility to your museum or gallery archives for visitors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re in the same situation as some of our clients, you may be looking to provide new or improved ways for people to make sense of their heritage, and to enhance their understanding, enjoyment and experience of history.<\/span> Perhaps you’ve seen a Touchscreen experience<\/a> and wondered if one would work for you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With most museums and galleries these days, there is also an urgent need for digitisation and preservation – otherwise, some incredibly valuable material could end up being lost forever. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, some films are vanishing, there are fewer people who can run older equipment, and all too often, information or material is being lost or forgotten about; its context no longer understood. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has to be said that people do have a great interest in heritage; be it family members, historical figures, or local history. Despite this, valuable information or materials can still be lost or turned over to a generation of people who no longer care. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As an agency who specialises in interactivity and solutions to help engage audiences of all backgrounds and generations, we\u2019re going to talk you through the whole process of archive digitisation, protection and preservation – and the different ways of improving access to information. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But first\u2026 <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inaccessibility, and why archives need to reconsider<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s safe to say the majority of stories live with curators, and we may rely too heavily on them. What knowledge they have needs to be opened up and made easily available to a wider audience. Archivists and curators are an integral part of making that information accessible to the public. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This goes against the grain of heritage often being hidden, little-known or just generally inaccessible. There\u2019s often a theme of rich and diverse materials locked away in dusty back rooms that may only ever be used to supplement galleries or exhibits. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, what options do you have? Well, it\u2019s absolutely vital to carefully consider which materials are being used, and how you can make the most of them. You should also think about introducing a change of audience, and purpose. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

No longer can archives be considered as \u2018just for researchers\u2019. There are now people from a much wider range of ages, ethnicities, social backgrounds, and technological abilities, all who are expressing their interest in history and want to learn more. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heritage is an essential part of the tourism industry and helps to attract visitors from overseas whilst bringing investment into local economies. Opening up your archives to a wider audience can help breath new life into your museum or gallery. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, below we\u2019re going to take a closer look at some of the elements that could potentially help you to open up your archives for the public to enjoy:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Introducing physical exhibitions <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s true that no matter how well you present information, there\u2019s nothing quite like having physical objects on display. They could be wall-mounted, displayed in cases, or you could even include some hands-on experiences! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n