Digital curation in museums

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a perspective on the development of digital curation education and practice in museums in the USA.Design/methodology/approachMethods used include: a historical overview of the development of digital curation, originally as a field of practice – primarily in the sciences – and then as a field of study; a case study of the adaptation of a digital curation curriculum (DigCCurr) framework developed in schools of library and information science (LIS) to a museum studies program; and a discussion of trends in digital curation practices in museums.FindingsThe case study (the digital curation certificate program of Johns Hopkins University’s museum studies program) describes a successful adaptation of the LIS DigCCurr framework in a museum studies program.Practical implicationsFindings could help to advance the museum field through the integration of digital curation education, practice and research.Social implicationsBy adopting and supporting digital curation practices, education and research, museums can reach and engage more online users seeking information about museum collections. More online users may also become onsite visitors.Originality/valueThere is little existing literature on digital curation education in museum studies programs.