The history of introduction of information technologies in museum practice (based on the materials of the international magazine "Museum")

The history of the introduction of information technology in museum practice hasn't been studied enough, especially for foreign museums. The article presents an analysis of the international magazine «Museum» materials about the introduction of computer and information technologies in museum activities. As a result, the main stages of introducing IT into museum practice were defined and characterized, the potential of the international journal «Museum» was identified as a source of studying the development of certain areas of museum activity. Periodicals is an important part of the society life and the state. Practically all events of the society are reflected, first of all, in the pages of periodicals. The international journal «Museum» became a basis of the study the history of the introduction of information technology in the museum practice. Professional museum editions such as the «Soviet Museum», «The Museum World», «The Museum» magazine, the international magazine «Museum» etc. as a source of studying the history of museums and certain areas of museum activities were not considered. The analysis of the international magazine «Museum» materials it is possible to studying the process of introducing of information technologies into museum practice. This process can be divided into several stages: 1) 1940-1950 - Prehistory. This time is a period of interaction of the museum with radio and television. This experience was rethought for use at the present stage (to attract the audience through educational programs), but with the help of additional technologies already such as the Internet and social media; 2) 1960-1970 years - The beginning of the use of computer technologies for the cataloging of museum items. This experimental period revealed problems in the application of IT (for example, the developing of a standard for describing a museum subject was arise) and gave impetus to the development of new directions in the application of information technologies in museum activities (the use of technologies in cataloging and research activities); 3) 1980 - the beginning of the 1990^th - The development of systematic work on the IT introduction in museum activities. At that time, the museum staff of many countries worked to create an universal standard for describing the museum item to make a unified information system for ensuring broad access to cultural heritage; 4) the second half of the 1990^th - the beginning of the 2000^th - Internet and multimedia in museum practice. This period is characterized by the creation of online museum communities, Web-sites. Finally, we can say the magazine «Museum» was fulfilling the role of an advisor of different aspects museum activities. It was very useful for museums of those countries that were isolated, either because of their geographic location or because of the lack of contacts between museum staff. The magazine was raise important issues, and defined new directions for the development of the museum. The museums turned into active institutions, which demonstrated new subjects in a new way, began to play an important role in everyday life of society.

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