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.

 

 

 

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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