Susan--
Thank you for sharing your institution's web mission, and for adding some content and context to the discussion! It must be refreshing to work in an institution which has approached its web site in such depth that there are goals, structure and even board involvement in the institutional web site! (What else would one expect from the Tech Museum of Innovation??!!)
My personal observation, based on creating web sites at two museums and talking to friends at other institution, is that the more usual path to web-site creation is: Get something up, and fast! Then--when people find out how much time that really takes--comes the other shoe: Make it a revenue generator!
As Olivia Anastasiadis points out in another post on this thread, it may be very difficult for institutions to approach web development in the same way that they would, say, an exhibition. The lines can get pretty muddy when everyone and no one is responsible for online exhibits. The Tech's guidelines seem very clarifying! Thanks again for sharing them.
Mark Friedman's original post in this thread, regarding the incessant demand for web sites to produce dollars, was very thought-provoking. I'm sure the last time a ubiquitous technology was introduced to museums and other industries--i.e., desktop computing--there wasn't such a hue and cry for the investment to make a financial payback.
Aren't there many, many things on which we spend money that are meant chiefly to support revenue generation? Especially print collateral like brochures, newsletters and rack cards?
Is there an argument to be made that museums' web sites should be partly viewed as a cost of doing business, and (like computer purchases, phone costs, electricity, printing, etc.) that they should be managed with an eye to cost containment but not forced to earn their full keep?
--Todd Happer
Scientific American
On 5/14/99, Museum discussion list wrote:
>I previously posted information about The Tech Museum of Innovation's
>e-commerce activities. We also support online exhibits and activities
>(http://www.thetech.org/section-discover.html) that tie into our mission
>and the content in our galleries. Teacher resources are at
>http://www.thetech.org/section-teach.html. >
>To bring a little more content to our discussion, here is our Web >Mission
>and Audience Statement, which was approved by the board of directors >in 1997.
>
>---------------------------------------
>Web Mission and Audience Statement
>---------------------------------------
>WEB MISSION
>
>Tech Online supports, extends and compliments the inspirational and
>educational exhibits, programs, services and activities of the museum >via
>the medium of the World Wide Web. >
>Our commitment to quality is grounded in partnerships with industry,
>education, and other museums that best pool our resources towards >common
>goals. Together we provide and maintain innovative and timely >experiences,
>services, and information to our online audiences. >
>AUDIENCE STATEMENT
>
>In keeping with our mission, The Tech Museum Online strives to be in >touch
>with the needs and expectations of our growing and changing audience.
>
>We acknowledge that due to limited resources we must prioritize our
>efforts. Below, in order of priority, are our key online audience >segments.
>These segments closely parallel the varied constituencies we serve as >an
>institution. The primary needs of each audience are included in the
>description that follows.
>
>1. Parents
>2. Teachers
>3. Kids
>4. Members
>5. Partners
>6. Board and Supporters
>7. Volunteers
>8. Staff
>
>1. Parents >
>• Quick and easy visitor information to plan visits, workshops, or >activities.
>• A resource for educational, appropriate Internet material for their kids.
>• An opportunity to become a member.
>• Make reservations, buy tickets and store items online.
>
>2. Teachers >
>• Valuable pre- and post- visit material. >• Help/training using technology in their classroom. >• Access that is fast, and works with old equipment and software.
>• Reliable content that does not disappear or radically change, for
>curriculum planning. >• Help finding the best educational materials on the rest of the World >Wide
>Web.
>
>3. Kids
>
>• Surprises, inspiration, and "cool stuff." >• Games, humor and challenges-- not textbook information.
>• Help with their science fair and school projects. >• Info on the Tech Challenge and other museum offerings. >
>4. Members
>
>• Keep informed.
>• Added value for their membership. >
>5. Partners
>
>• Working relationship that is mutually beneficial, high quality, and fun. >• Good publicity, prestige, and perks.
>• Opportunities for their people to volunteer. >
>6. Board and Supporters
>
>• Confirmation that we're living up to the mission. >• Recognition for their contributions.
>• Feel proud to associate with a cutting edge website. >• See their institution's educational goals represented.
>• Opportunities for their employees to volunteer. >
>7. Volunteers
>
>• Feel a part of our success and community. >• Use our website to promote The Tech.
>• Chances to contribute to building the site. >• Recruit more volunteers.
>
>8. Tech Staff
>
>• Use the World Wide Web to effectively to meet and exceed their >goals. >• Be informed, involved, and feel a sense of ownership with the website. >
>
>
>Susan B.F. Wageman
>Evaluation Manager (408) 795-6303
>The Tech Museum of Innovation (408) 279-7167 fax
>201 South Market Street [log in to unmask] >San Jose, California 95113 http://www.thetech.org
>
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