Inventory, Access, Interpretation: The Evolution of Museum Collections Management Software

"STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The purpose of this project was to provide an overview of the development of content management software in the context of the changing needs, motives, and philosophies of the museum profession from the 1960s to the present day. Specifically, I investigated how museums have developed their software to respond to outside pressures for increased access to collections. I also explored the many theories forwarded by collections managers and museologists as to the best way to use computers to organize collections and respond to wider institutional goals. By researching how CMS development dovetails with larger institutional goals since the 1960s, I present a context for how to think about CMS today. Based upon responses from collections and information managers, I also report on how today's museum professionals use their software and how CMS is not being used to their fullest potential. "