Links between Libraries and Museums: Investigating Museum-Library Collaboration in England and the USA

Public libraries, museums and physical convergence: Context, issues, opportunities: A literature review Part 2

“…Tanackovic Only a limited amount of research investigates library, archive and museum physical convergence and collaboration (Gibson et al, 2007;Yarrow et al, 2008;Tanackovic and Badurina 2009;Duff et al, 2013;Robinson, 2016). So much sorrow and pain for that monster who gets created, almost through a flawed concept… We've given birth to this monster, now how 45 do we control it, how do we get it to do what we want it to do, how do we stop it from hurting people?…”

“…A key benefit of library and museum convergence stated repeatedly throughout the literature is an improved offer for users, allowing for the delivery of joint services that could not have been achieved independently (Gibson et al, 2007;Marcum, 2014). Convergence has the potential to create a vibrant cultural experience, producing a "broad information context" and a "dynamic interdisciplinary environment" (Dilevko and Gottlieb, 2003; This heightened visibility is seen as another key benefit as convergence has the potential to change preconceptions and widen audience reach by "improving public perceptions of museums and libraries as traditional staid institutions" (Gibson et al, 2007: p.58), challenging the assumption that libraries and museums are "traditional, elitist, or closed to most people" (Marcum, 2014: p.80).…”

“…(Marcum, 2014: p.79) Several studies have identified a number of keys risks based on the experiences of collaborating institutions. In their survey of library and museum collaboration in the UK and USA, Gibson et al found that management, staffing and operational issues such as IT provision and even car parking provided challenges for staff (Gibson et al, 2007) while a lack of sufficient training was also a serious issue for one participant:…”

Cultural Networks and Social Inclusion of Migrants in Europe: Heritage, ICT, and Participatory Governance

“…In the last century policymakers and fund holders attempted to group and bridge these communities of practice through 'their similar role as part of public educational structures, and their common governance' (Trant 2009, 369). Some studies on collaborations between museums and libraries (Gibson, Morris and Cleeve 2007;Zorich, Gunter and Erway 2008;Yarrow, Clubb and Draper 2008), have highlighted the benefits for museums and libraries of joining forces and resources in a variety of areas. Museum studies scholars have begun to reflect on the roles of museums as agents for social inclusion (see for example Sandell 1998Sandell , 2002Sandell , 2007, focusing in particular on storytelling and actively engaging visitors in the construction of meanings.…”

Migrating heritage: experiences of cultural networks and cultural dialogue in Europe

“…Some studies of museum and library collaborations (for example, Diamant-Cohen and Sherman 2003, Gibson, Morris and Cleeve 2007, Zorich, Gunter and Erway, 2008, Yarrow, Clubb and Draper 2008 have highlighted the artistic and religious culture (Innocenti 2012b). In this volume, Eleanor Kenny explains how Europeana brings together 27 million objects from 34 countries.…”