Emerging Best Practices for Managing Online Exhibits: Survey Report

Abstract

ABSTRACT Many libraries, archives, museums, and other institutions provide online exhibits to serve as surrogates for or to supplement in-person/physical exhibits. Online exhibits may provide more detailed information about a physical exhibit or may stand alone. While online exhibits can have more permanence than physical exhibits, they can be difficult to support in the long term, requiring regular updates and maintenance. Online exhibits may lose context when creators and supporting staff with institutional memory leave the host institution. Migrating a legacy exhibit to a current version, a different platform, and/or a new server can also prove challenging. To continue serving patrons optimally, online exhibits must remain fully accessible and be regularly reviewed for accuracy and utility. As rapidly developing technology presents new opportunities to connect virtually with researchers and the public, online exhibits should be reviewed and supported to supplement institutional and programmatic goals, especially if they are still pertinent to the mission of the institution. This article investigates current policies and practices for evaluating, managing, and sustaining online exhibits for archives, museums, and libraries in the United States and Canada. It includes emerging best practices based on survey findings.