Introduction

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is committed to helping libraries and museums take full advantage of the power of technology. Through grantmaking, research, conferences, and publications the Institute helps to create and share best practices and provide important data for administrators, policy makers, and the public.

As part of its mandate to analyze needs and trends of museum and library services, the Institute is pleased to present the 2004 survey on the use of technology and digitization in the nation’s libraries and museums.

The use of technology and particularly digital technology has affected nearly every aspect of library and museum services, from the automation of internal cataloging and management systems to the digitization of physical collections, and from the acquisition of new “born-digital” works of art and library publications to the use of technology to present collections and engage audiences.

Digital technology enables the full range of holdings in our museums, libraries, and archives—audio, video, print, photographs, artworks, artifacts, and other resources—to be cataloged, organized, combined, and made accessible to audiences in new ways. It provides the public with new pathways to access museum and library collections and brings them “face-to-face” electronically with librarians, curators, scientists, artists, and scholars. By using technology, rich scientific, historical, aesthetic, and cultural resources can be presented with contextual information that enhances educational value.

In 2001, the Institute conducted the first-ever study of the status of new technology adoption and digitization in the nation’s museums and libraries. The baseline study identified pockets of digitization activity and planning that were making library and museum collections widely available. While gaps existed between large and small institutions, basic technologies had found their way into a majority of libraries and museums.

This second study seeks to dig deeper and find out more about how and why our cultural institutions use technology and digitize their collections. It explores barriers as well as capacity and planning issues.

The 2004 survey was conducted among five groups: museums, public libraries, academic libraries, archives, and state library administrative agencies. This survey report tells us statistically about the kinds of technology in use, the extent of digitization activities, and the adoption, maintenance, funding of, and staffing for technology and digitization activities at museums and libraries.

After the survey data was analyzed and the draft report prepared, the Institute held facilitated telephone discussions among individuals who represent the five survey groups. They used the survey to explore what’s next and identify some high-priority issues that can help the cultural community continue to move forward. The summary or participants' comments and suggestions can be found in the Afterword.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services will use the survey results to inform staff, shape programs, and raise awareness of stakeholders. We encourage you to read, discuss, and share this survey report. It provides important insights about technology and digitization trends and developments, and the needs of the nation’s libraries, museums, archives, and state library administrative agencies.