Hello Diane,
Tablets can be great additions to galleries but they do have their downsides. There is the initial cost, ongoing maintenance, content development (can be very time consuming and/or costly), troubleshooting, damages/theft concerns, usability concerns for those with disabilities, language restrictions, content delivery for those that don't use the tablets, and probably a few other things that should be included. To use tablets simply for the sake of using tablets, the funds could be utilised otherwise for developing more low tech exhibit improvements. Now if you have an idea/plan that can be greatly enriched by tablets go for it. They can be great tools. Another alternative is to develop the content but have visitors use their own devices. The downside is that visitors may not have devices, may be less likely to pull up your content, may need access to your Wi-Fi, but removes some cost and concerns. You could also use this option as a first step to see how it works out and then easily migrate to your own devices in the future.
I'm sounding quite negative and I don't want to be but I thought I should raise the concerns. Beyond that I'm always interested in seeing what people are doing in this area so I'll certainly be following this.
William Shepherd
Collections Officer
Swift Current Museum
44 Robert Street West
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
S9H 4M9
Phone: 306-778-4815
Fax: 306-778-4818
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Diane Hall
Sent: January 3, 2018 8:33 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Tablets
My museum is thinking about getting some tablets people can check out from our front desk to take around the museum. I'm interested in hearing from people who have tried this at their museums, what were the pros and cons you saw? What kind of material did you put on the tablet?
Diane Hall
Collections Manager
AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
13515 Yarmouth Dr.
Pickertington, OH
1 (800) AMA-JOIN
1 (614) 856-1900, ext. 1210
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