Museum Information Service : its Management & Marketing

About the Book

The book comprises of three major aspects that are essential for museums. These are Museum Information Service, Management and Marketing of Information Service. This is a complete survey-based book, written from an Indian perspective. Analyses on various survey results have been included that highlights the present scenario of information dissemination in Indian museums and dissatisfactions of people.

The study points out why visitors’ number is so less in Indian museums that is causing hindrance in surviving the museums successfully. Various modes of information dissemination are suggested and hope that these can help museums to satisfy visitors, common people, and users. A plan is given for developing the Information Service in Indian museums. Suggestions are also given in order to overcome problems like financial crisis, administrative problems, shortage of human resource, poor infrastructure, and age-old image in society.

An attempt has been made on managing information systems to provide access to users and retrieve information instantly, taking utmost security. Various aspects of the marketing of information service are also given in the book that can guide museums in attracting people, enhancing the image, and earn revenue.

 

About the Author

Dr. Dhriti Ray has had a good academic career all throughout. She did her M. Sc. in Museology in 1998 with First Class First Rank in the Calcutta University. She was awarded Ph. D. Degree from this University in 2006 for her Thesis on “Museum Information Service – Its Management and Marketing for the survival of museums in India Today”. She has contributed some research papers on this theme and also edited a Book, ‘Vision Success’ – a guide on academic and professional courses, jobs etc.’ in 2005. She was a UGC-NET-Fellow in the Department of Museology, Calcutta University. She has also obtained P.G. Diploma in Public Relations from the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kolkata. Currently, she is an External Project Investigator In-Charge of the Asiatic Society, Kolkata, and doing her Post Doctoral research work in the field of Cultural History of the Nagas and the Manipuris, since April, 2007.

 

Foreword

The present-day researches on the discipline of Museology have gained considerable importance. Museums in India are no more considered as merely the storehouse of curiosities or Azab Ghar (House of Wonders).

With the rapid progress of modern science and technology, Information Service in Museum has attained much progress and development. Present book entitled, ‘Museum Information Service-Its Management and Marketing’ by Dr. Dhriti Ray has laid emphasis on the proper use of information service for the visitors of all categories in museum so that visitors are more attracted to visit and enjoy museum. Proposals have been offered by the author for the utilization of information service, proper information marketing, and maintenance of public relations through information service within and outside museum, so that museums of this country can stand in the present day competition with zoological gardens, amusement parks, edu entertainment institutes and various information channels including television and internet. All the suggestions put forward by the author will help Indian museums to survive as a true public service organization in the days to come.

The author has covered quite a good number of museums in the country including few museums of North-East India.

The book deals with several aspects of Museum Science like museum information service, the developmental process of information service in museum, problems regarding the development of the above service in Indian museums and probable solutions as well as management and marketing of information service.

There is no denying to the fact that the book will be a useful addition in the subject for scholars, researchers and museum professionals of the country.