Museums and Virtuality

Abstract This paper investigates issues of museums and virtuality. In considering the diverse ways that museums are approaching virtuality, the focus here is on the common ground and shared objectives, rather than the differences between museums and their virtual re‐creations. Put simply, on‐site museums and their online counterparts are merely two ways of exhibiting cultures. In this sense, “virtuality” is a fundamental exhibition practice. The World Wide Web has become increasingly relevant to such core museum tasks as collecting, preserving, and exhibiting. Digitization of objects in digital heritage programs has led to new forms of collection management and unparalleled access to virtual replicas of museum artifacts. This transformation is inspiring new forms of preserving and displaying cultures both on‐ and off‐line. A successful digital expansion will largely influence whether museums can sustain their cultural authority and position in the 21st century.     

高校博物馆藏品征集策略完善路径研究——以陕西省高校博物馆为例

近代博物馆源起于高校,并逐渐形成了一套较为完备的藏品管理体系。我国高校博物馆是博物馆体系的重要组成部分,但在藏品征集方面的受关注度远低于社会公共博物馆,高校博物馆藏品征集工作出现了藏品来源渠道少、监管松、经费不足等问题。本文拟以陕西省高校博物馆为例,通过分析其藏品征集现状,针对藏品征集中存在的问题,尝试对高校博物馆的藏品征集策略进行完善,为新时期中国高校博物馆的藏品征集工作提供一些思考。     

The Museum Profession: Protecting and Promoting Professional Commitments

Throughout their history, museums have performed diverse public services: from preservation, collection, and exhibition, to interpretation, education, and civic engagement. As Stephen E. Weil ( 2002 ) explains, since the mid‐twentieth century, museums have experienced two major revolutions. First, a revolution in focus from collection‐oriented to visitor‐oriented practices, and second, a revolution in public expectations as museums secured a position within the nonprofit sector (81–82). With competition for public, private, and philanthropic support resting upon measurable results, the evaluation of museums depends upon its ability to “accomplish its purpose” (5). However, the question remains: what is the museum's purpose? Which is the more important: collection and artifact preservation, or public engagement and education? An overview of museum practices reveals a multiplicity of professional tasks distributed among three imperatives: preservation, scholarship, and programming (Weil 2002 , 11). The competition for resources devoted to each of these imperatives can spark controversy—particularly if museum professionals answer the question of the purpose of museums differently. Organizational communication scholar, Janie M. Harden Fritz, developed a theoretical framework that seeks to respond to such controversies in Professional Civility: Communicating Virtue at Work. This essay considers Fritz's “professional civility” in the context of the American museum sector, lending insight to the question of museum purpose and function.     

中国早期自然博物馆中的两个方向——“学究式博物馆”与“公共教育博物馆”

近代中国政治、经济、文化等领域深受西方影响,早期自然博物馆的营建体现出了两个不同方向。西方对生物学的研究经历了博物学狭义化到实验生理学为主导的方法转向、博物馆内部教育功能的发展趋势以及外强入侵近代中国的社会背景,共同推动了中国早期自然博物馆的落地生根。西人营建的中国早期自然博物馆是欧洲自然史收藏体系下的一部分,这类“学究式博物馆”研究属性强,不以服务中国社会为目的,影响有限。而中国本土的不同阶层在传播博物馆观念与实践上均做出了各自回应,他们身处衰败之际与觉醒年代,肩负救亡图存之责任,其创办的一批“公共教育博物馆”彰显了对科学的求索,对国家未来的希冀。这些博物馆体现了科学传播的公共性价值。     

Biomedical librarians in a patient care setting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine

The biomedical librarian has been placed in a patient care setting working in the specific environment of a six-year medical school guided by the docent team concept (docent is defined as a clinician-scholar). Within this framework the specifically qualified Clinical Medical Librarians function within the docent unit. Three dissemination techniques or systems-LATCH, Current References, and Latest Topics-are discussed. Note is made of the Clinical Medical Librarian's role in teaching, demand search-document delivery in answer to anticipated and actual requests, and the design of the Patient Care Information System. Also presented are the unique aspects of a hospitable environment essential to the success of this project.     

自然科学博物馆标本藏品智慧化管理实践与思考——以国家海洋博物馆为例

自然科学博物馆作为重要的公共文化机构,承载着传播自然历史和科学知识的职责。标本藏品是自然科学博物馆的根基,随着标本藏品的不断积累,传统标本藏品管理方式面临困境。在博物馆智慧化建设背景下,智慧化理念与新技术为标本藏品管理带来了新机遇。本文以天津国家海洋博物馆为例,在分析标本藏品管理工作面临主要难点的基础上,回顾智慧化藏品管理系统建设工作实践,以期为自然科学博物馆标本藏品管理提供参考和借鉴,并思考未来藏品数据的应用方向。     

“异化”与“创新” ——当代科技类博物馆面临的挑战与对策

自然史博物馆是公共博物馆初创时的主要形态,其后发展演变出多种形态。本文通过分析国际科技类博物馆发展历程及其背景,指出科技类博物馆的实质是构建和传播理性科学知识,其存在意义是奠定人作为世界主体的现代社会的知识基础;科技类博物馆呈现显著的发展阶段性,其收藏价值、组织目标、社会作用相应调整和改变。在此基础上,本文认为当代科技类博物馆需要坚持构建和传播理性知识的信念,拓展成年观众群体,鼓励观众参与科学研究过程,服务所在地地域发展需求。     

The Future of Three‐Dimensional Imaging and Museum Applications

Abstract Is it time for all museums to initiate large‐scale 3D digitization programs? We don’t yet know how 3D is going to change, replace, or integrate into current museum experience. Yet the possibilities are being actualized right now. What does 3D mean for museums? Digitizing museum objects in 3D (or the museums themselves, for that matter) with incredible accuracy and realism; examining the inside of a mummy; modeling collections in 3D; retaining virtual copies of vulnerable objects; all these and more already exist in the fast‐changing realm of 3D applications.     

浅谈美国科技博物馆的发展态势

作者通过实地考察和检索相关文献,提出当前美国科技博物馆呈现几个值得关注的发展态势:与正规教育紧密结合、高度社会化、高度市场化、科学中心与传统博物馆相互借鉴相互融合、重视新技术应用。在此基础上,本文提出我国科技博物馆建设与发展的对策:正视差异与差距,加快科技馆体系建设,加强科技和工业藏品的征集,提升科技博物馆的经营能力,实现我国科技博物馆事业的跨越式发展。     

以四维视角观察域外科学博物馆——《域外博物馆印象》读后感

作为一本学术游记和随笔集,《域外博物馆印象》作者通过参观、考察众多的域外博物馆,从四个维度展现了自己的学术收获:以中国科普事业领导者的视角,对中国的科技馆事业建设发展予以指导;以科学传播理论研究学者的视角,探讨科学博物馆的发展规律;以中国科学博物馆行业引领者的视角,思考科学博物馆的教育功能;以科学博物馆忠实粉丝的视角,归纳科学博物馆的文化属性。     

我国高校博物馆研究的评述与展望

本文以CNKI数据库中1956—2021年高校博物馆相关文献为研究对象,通过科学计量工具CiteSpace软件对文献的作者、发文机构、关键词等进行分析,结合相关文献研读后发现,研究的主题主要围绕高校博物馆的建设、定位、藏品和教育功能四个方面;但研究人员和机构合作较少,多为独立研究,且核心问题研究薄弱;根据关键词突现功能分析了我国高校博物馆研究的发展趋势。从合作机制、运营机制、智慧博物馆和科普教育等方面对我国高校博物馆的建设与发展的重要问题进行分析和展望。     

从科技藏品的收藏、研究与传播，看自然历史博物馆的传承与转变——以美国自然历史博物馆为例

2019年是美国自然历史博物馆建立150周年。在150年的发展历程中,随着博物馆功能逐渐明确为教育、研究与收藏,藏品在该博物馆中的作用也逐渐发生转变。藏品在收藏、研究与传播中所发挥的作用,是自然历史博物馆历史传承与新时代转变的体现。美国自然历史博物馆正在经历一系列的创新与转型,对于自然历史博物馆的未来发展有很大的启示意义,也有助于我们在当代背景下去理解自然历史博物馆的本质与价值。     

中国电信类博物馆现状与发展研究

电信类博物馆是以电信行业发展为主题,收藏、保管、展览、研究电信文物的专门机构。本文将我国现有的电信类博物馆按隶属单位、展示内容、展示逻辑和馆舍建筑等几种不同方式进行分类梳理。目前电信类博物馆在参观途径、观众构成、展陈、藏品、社教和研究等方面还存在一系列的问题。除客观因素外,导致这些问题的根本原因是博物馆缺乏清晰的办馆目的,需要结合实际情况在具体工作中加以改进。     

我国自然博物馆藏品收藏现状与分析

本文介绍了国内外自然博物馆藏品收藏现状,分析我国自然博物馆存在藏品收藏总体不足、各区域自然博物馆之间藏品收藏差距较大、收藏范围较狭窄、藏品来源单一等问题,并进行了原因分析,提出正确认识自然博物馆的研究、收藏与教育的关系,加强对博物馆科研的投入,授予博物馆标本采集权,打破体制机制限制,加强对各方标本资源的利用等建议。     

科技馆评估指标体系研究

本文从教育是科技馆首要目的和首要功能的角度切入,论证科技馆评估应以教育功能为核心,以教育功能的实现情况为出发点。在分析国内外博物馆、科技馆评估理论研究与实践的基础上,归纳出科技馆评估的类型,并基于各级科技馆在中国特色现代科技馆体系中的定位和职责,提出科技馆评估方式——应直接根据科技馆的行政级别开展运行评估。在分析现有国内外博物馆、科技馆运行评估指标特点的基础上,提出科技馆运行评估指标的选取原则和指标体系,以期评估结果为我国科技馆事业的可持续发展提供借鉴和参考。     

高校博物馆研学旅行的发展历程、现实境况与优化策略

高校博物馆研学旅行的发展历经蓄势积淀、起步发展阶段,目前正处于快速发展阶段。我国高校博物馆研学旅行教育资源丰富,研学旅行市场需求旺盛,但在高校博物馆研学课程建设和研学配套资源供给方面存在欠缺,影响高校博物馆高质量研学旅行活动的开展。鉴于此,本文从立足独特馆藏资源、抓住时代发展机遇、加强研学课程开发、优化研学配套资源供给等四个方面提出新时期高校博物馆研学旅行的优化策略,以期打造高质量的高校博物馆研学旅行活动,充分释放高校博物馆的教育潜能。     

Philosophy and the museum: An introduction to the special issue

This paper introduces the special issue by explaining the context of the conference at which the papers were originally presented, suggesting some ways of thinking about the intersection of philosophy and museums, and briefly introducing each paper in the collection. In the main body of the paper I look at a recent trend in museum interpretation and argue that it can be understood in terms of a definition of the museum as a space of representation and space of difference. I go on to suggest that this definition allows us to think of the museum as liberating us from certain ways of thinking. The paper as a whole suggests that philosophy can help us to think about museums, and that museums can contribute to philosophical thinking.     

论数字博物馆的可持续发展

不管是实体博物馆还是作为实体博物馆一部分的数字博物馆都存在可持续发展问题,解决数字博物馆的可持续发展课题,有利于促进实体博物馆的可持续发展,有利于数字博物馆承担社会教育和服务的窗口功能。数字博物馆可持续发展既受国家政策导向、信息技术发展、社会需求等外部因素的制约,也受母体博物馆对数字博物馆的定位、数字化建设人才、建设项目效益成本比等内部因素的影响。数字博物馆建设者需整合影响数字博物馆可持续发展的各种要素。     

Leisure—A function of museums? The Taiwan perspective

The main factor preventing non-visitors from visiting museums is ‘lack of interest’. But the causes of this ‘lack of interest’ are different in Taiwan than in western countries. Taiwanese non-visitors on low incomes are deterred by the strong association of museums with education. They want an experience that will be relaxing, enjoyable and pleasurable, and one which will not require any effort. They do not perceive museums as providing this. Non-visitors want museums to function more obviously as leisure venues that the whole family can actively enjoy. They say museums need to promote themselves as places for exploration and entertainment, as well as for education and learning. If museums wish to attract low-income non-visitors, they must consider how the needs of the non-visiting public can be met.     

THE CONSERVATION OF TAPESTRIES FOR MUSEUM DISPLAY

Abstract

A broad outline of the considerations which arise with regard to the conservation of a museum collection of tapestries is given in this paper. The various types of damage to, and deterioration of, tapestries is discussed.

Various methods of washing and dry cleaning, and the equipment necessary for these procedures, are reviewed, and a caution is included as to the necessity of testing all dyes for colour fastness in both water and any solvent used for dry cleaning. The equipment, materials and techniques of repair are discussed; three methods of repair being currently used in museums and specialist workshops — re-weaving, stitching on to a backing and the use of synthetic resins for impregnation and adhesion to a woven support. It is suggested in conclusion that the optimum method of repair in museums is stitching on to a backing. More research must be undertaken into the use of synthetic resins, and re-weaving usually alters the original appearance of the tapestry.

Finally, the need for specialised conservation staff in a museum with a tapestry collection is emphasised.