Leslie Meyer wrote:
>Hello all! > >I'm currently enrolled in the Museum Technologies class at my graduate >program at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. For the semester term >paper, I have elected to write about Information Technology (IT) and how it >fits within the museum organization. While I have some information into >possible solutions (outsourcing, internal, etc.), I would really like to >include my own research about the subject. That's where I need your help! > >Please answer the following questions, as best you can, so that I can gain >better insight into this subject. I hope everyone can respond to me >personally (leslieann.meyer at gmail.com) by Tuesday, November 28, 2006. >Answers will only be used for this class project. I really appreciate your >assistance! >1. What is the name of your museum? > > Science Spectrum >2. Where are you located? > > Lubbock, TX >3. How (and why) would you define the size of your museum? > > Small science museum in college town of 220K. >4. Does your museum have a separate Information Technology (IT) >department? If so, where is it located in the organizational structure, i.e. >to whom does it report? > > I am our resident techno-geek. Trained as a Networking tech. Until I went back to work for the museum, they outsourced everything. Currently I, with one maintance person handle 90% and outsource the remainder. It isn't part of my job discription (like I actually have one) but I just kind of inherited it. In our particular orginizational structure, I report directly to our President, which gives me alot of leeway regarding purchses and systems. >5. Does your museum outsource for its information technology? If so, what >sort of relationship do you have with these vendors? To whom do they >report? > > Out source vendors report to me when we use them. >6. If you do not outsource or have an internal IT department, what solution >does your museum have for its information technology needs? > >7. What are some of the benefits of the IT solution within your museum? > > The latitude in decision making. My boss is not very techno-literate, so alot of the final decisions are mine. >8. What are some of the downfalls of the IT solution within your museum? > > When something goes wrong, there is very little backup. Our networks have been cobbled together over the years by many different vendors so there is no one else that understands it enough to trouble shoot it. If/when I get in over my head, it is not pretty. >9. What other information about your institution regarding Information >Technology should I be aware? > > We do a lot of facilities rentals (meeting rooms, etc.) so a large part of our network capacity is to provide access to the rentals. >10. Tell me about yourself: name, title and general job description within >your museum. > > (see below) Exhibits and Bulding maint Mgr. (doesn't even start to cover it.) >Again, I really appreciate any insight you can provide into Information >Technology within the museum structure. I'm looking forward to hearing back >from you! > >Thank you, >Leslie Meyer > > > -- Elton K Prater elton at sciencespectrum.org Exhibits Manager Phone 806.745.2525 X 229 Science Spectrum Fax 806.745.1115 2579 S Loop 289 Suite 250 Lubbock, TX 79423
