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IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS THAT GO THE DISTANCE


Welcome to MCN 2002/Toronto! As museums enter the twenty-first century we find a panorama of opportunities. What used to be esoteric notions such as sophisticated collections management systems, exhibition interactives, digital imaging, web sites, distance learning, webcasts, wireless delivery, and other technological innovations have taken root in museums of all sizes and specialties. But one more thing has happened: todayâs challenge is investing in long-term, sustainable digital initiatives which seamlessly and cost-effectively meld into the museumâs mission, programs, and operations. Every museum has stories to share and lessons to learn. And for four days in September, museum technology sagas and sages will all converge in one place, the 2002 MCN Annual Conference/Toronto, September 4-7 in partnership with the Canadian Heritage Information Network [CHIN]. MCN is honored to be partnering with CHIN, and we are all looking forward to visiting beautiful, cosmopolitan Toronto for this internationally important gathering.

The Conference, with the theme, In it for the long haul-technology programs that go the distance, promises the broadest array of workshops and sessions MCN has ever provided. Two days of workshops cover areas ranging from new building infrastructure to the strategic use of membership/development systems to the latest word, or image, in collection management systems. We will demystify digital imaging standards and practices and even help you choose the right equipment. Museum web site development, evaluation, and sustainability are addressed as are project planning and getting your ideas funded. Conference sessions also cover cutting edge developments in multimedia, evaluation of web sites, integrated data management, the ecstasy of successful collaborations and the agony of a failure. Opportunities abound to network and compare notes with colleagues from around the world, and thought provoking Biographies of Plenary Speakers and vendor presentations round out the conference experience. This conference reaches out to novices and experts and to those who want a cross-disciplinary glimpse at important areas of museum operations that they are not generally involved in. An MCN-eye-view of the future, but with our feet firmly planted in the present.

Critical issues to sustaining programs and investments, which will be covered, include:

  • Digital Identity
  • Funding models
  • Program planning, budgeting and management
  • Integrated information management
  • Content development
  • Audience delivery
  • Collaboration and partnership
  • Standards for information access and exchange
  • Digital Imaging creation, management and preservation
  • Infrastructure and network design
  • Intellectual property policy
  • ...and More!

SPECIAL EVENTS

MCN is also proud to host the following special events, without any fee as a service to the museum community.

  • NINCH Copyright Town Meeting: Creating Intellectual Property Policy in Museums, full day discussion and workshop. **The transcript for this presentation is now available at: www.ninch.org/copyright/2002/toronto.report.html

  • ãThe IMLS Framework for Building Good Digital Collections÷Feedback from the Museum Community,ä presented by the CIMI Institute with participation by
    AAMâs Media and Technology Committee and MCN.

And we are privileged to present three extraordinary plenary speeches which are certain to inform, provoke and inspire:

  • Clifford A. Lynch, Executive Director, Coalition for Networked Information (CNI)
  • Stanley N. Katz, Director, Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Princeton University **The transcript for this presentation - "What Do We Want from the Cybermuseum?" - is now available at: www.ninch.org/forum/museums.html
  • Lyn Elliot Sherwood, Director General, Canadian Heritage Information Network.

Who Should Attend?

  • Information Technology and Network Managers and Staff
  • Multimedia and Web Designers and Managers
  • Registrars
  • Membership and Development/Fund Raising Professionals
  • Anyone involved with Digital Photography and Image Management
  • Consultants and Vendors interested in the Museum Community
  • Anyone involved or interested in collection management
  • Curators and Exhibition Managers
  • Librarians
  • Educators

Be sure to look for special sessions presented by CHIN, AMICO, CIMI, and the MCN 2002 annual business meeting and Special Interest Group sessions.

Please review this brochure, register for the conference, workshops, and special events and make plans to see your colleagues and friends. Until Toronto, find updated conference program information at www.mcn.edu. While you are there find out the latest on museums and technology and then start your own discussion by subscribing to MCN-L.

See you in Toronto!

Leonard Steinbach
President, MCN, Program Co-chair

Greg Spurgeon
Program Co-chair