http://openculture.collectionstrustblogs.org.uk/2009/10/08/dear-martha/ Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:19:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://openculture.collectionstrustblogs.org.uk/2009/10/08/dear-martha/#comment-4285 Bridget McKenzie Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:45:47 +0000 http://openculture.collectionstrustblogs.org.uk/?p=163#comment-4285 Just to clarify, I mean 'this great idea of MLAs being a base'. I realise it's your idea, Nick, not the MLA's. Poor grammar, sorry. Just to clarify, I mean ‘this great idea of MLAs being a base’. I realise it’s your idea, Nick, not the MLA’s. Poor grammar, sorry.

]]> http://openculture.collectionstrustblogs.org.uk/2009/10/08/dear-martha/#comment-4284 Bridget McKenzie Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:43:46 +0000 http://openculture.collectionstrustblogs.org.uk/?p=163#comment-4284 I think you're absolutely right to be pointing out the value of museums, libraries & archives as an inclusive community learning infrastructure. I think there is a key factor missing from your account of the sector's value; that is culture itself. You're describing them as something like warm and friendly civic spaces. But they are spaces of spectacle, colour, extraordinary immersive experiences, rich deep seams of layered narrative, mystery, contestation, creativity, performance....I could go on. I think this great idea of MLA's as a base for digital inclusion will be an even greater programme if it builds on all this fantastic practice of educators, interpreters, participatory curators and artists who have worked for years with communities, with digital tools or without. Mostly without, which is why much of this practice is less visible than it could be. The work to digitise collections is often very separate from work to interpret collections and heritage sites and develop cultural & creative skills with visitors. Let's join them up. I think you’re absolutely right to be pointing out the value of museums, libraries & archives as an inclusive community learning infrastructure. I think there is a key factor missing from your account of the sector’s value; that is culture itself. You’re describing them as something like warm and friendly civic spaces. But they are spaces of spectacle, colour, extraordinary immersive experiences, rich deep seams of layered narrative, mystery, contestation, creativity, performance….I could go on. I think this great idea of MLA’s as a base for digital inclusion will be an even greater programme if it builds on all this fantastic practice of educators, interpreters, participatory curators and artists who have worked for years with communities, with digital tools or without. Mostly without, which is why much of this practice is less visible than it could be. The work to digitise collections is often very separate from work to interpret collections and heritage sites and develop cultural & creative skills with visitors. Let’s join them up.

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