 |
|
|
|
Archives & Museum Informatics info @archimuse.com |
 |
Virtual Members: CHIN and The Guide to Canadian Museums & GalleriesBonnie Szirtes, Canadian Heritage Information Network Subsidiary
Session: International Focus: Canada and Namibia
The Guide to Canadian Museums and Galleries, launched by CHIN in July
1996, is the direct result of a Directors meeting held in the Spring
of 1995 where the museum community voiced its desire to use the Internet
as one means to attract new audiences. In its new directions, CHIN moved
away from client-based services and towards the idea of "Membership".
In this way, all "Members" of the virtual community, i.e., CHIN and
museums, would work together to create a collective resource on the
Internet - the Guide. There is an investment on the part of all Members
- CHIN maintains all technical components of the Guide in addition to
providing Internet accounts and training to Members and museums contribute
information about their collections and events - and therefore, a stake
in the future success or failure of the Guide. The more complete and
current the information is, the more successful the Guide will be in
attracting new audiences and bringing back repeat visitors. With the
potential for virtual visits to translate into actual visits, everyone
benefits including the general public who has a new and reliable resource
to use.
|
