Report: "The Status of Technology and Digitization in the Nation's Museums and Libraries"

[gprice]

Hello from D.C.


A report with results of an IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) 
survey was placed online
in the past few days.

Report Title: The Status of Technology and Digitization in the Nation's 
Museums and Libraries


 From the announcement:
"A federal report quantifies, for the first time, how computers, software, 
and information sharing technologies are changing the work of museums and 
libraries. The federal Institute of Museum and Library Services surveyed 
more than 700 professionals in libraries and museums of all types and sizes 
about their technology use and digitization activities."

 From the findings section of the press announcement:

Eighty-seven percent of museums and at least 99 percent of surveyed 
libraries use at least some technology, most commonly: desktop computers, 
Internet access, e-mail, standard office software, Web sites, computerized 
collection catalogs, and network servers. Other findings:

*Digitization activities are an emerging focus in museums in libraries, 
with substantial working being done by State Library Administrative Agencies.
*Larger institutions with larger budgets and larger service populations, 
whether museums or libraries, reported greater usage and more kinds of 
technology than smaller institutions. The disparity was especially 
pronounced for museums. Sixty seven percent of the museum respondents 
reported having budgets less than $250,000; thirteen percent of these 
indicated no technology use, not even desktop computers.

*Libraries' technology use is pervasive, and libraries indicated having 
sources of funds that have enabled them to invest in technologies. Sources 
for public libraries include E-Rate telecommunications discounts, grants 
under the IMLS Library Services and Technology Act, and grants from the 
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. All surveyed libraries may receive 
funding through IMLS' programs supported through the Library Services and 
Technology Act (LSTA).

*Museums have fewer sources of funds for investment in technology, relying 
on operating funds, gifts from donors, and in-kind contributions. Twenty 
percent report having no funding for technology.

The report is available at the following urls:
Summary, http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/052802.htm
Full-Text (html), http://www.imls.gov/Reports/TechReports/intro02.htm
Full-Text (pdf), http://www.imls.gov/Reports/TechReports/2002Report.pdf


cheers,
gary

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Gary D. Price, MLIS
Librarian
Gary Price Library Research and Internet Consulting
gary at freepint.com