By: Jon Pratty, Ross Parry, MCG For: Museums Computer Group Spring Conference 2008 Wednesday 23rd April, 2008, Swansea http://www.museumscomputergroup.org.uk/

1. Ross Parry and Jon Pratty Museums Computer Group - Spring Meeting 23 April 2008 National Waterfront Museum, Swansea museums computer group MCG Futures

2. 15-16 October 1982 Sedgwick Museum CAMBRIDGE 15-16 April 1983 Manchester Museum, MANCHESTER 7-8 December 1984 Hancock Museum NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE 15-16 April 1985 Leicestershire Museums LEICESTER 18-19 October 1985 Museum Documentation Association DUXFORD 11-12 April 1986 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew LONDON 26 September 1986 City of Bristol Museum and Art Gallery BRISTOL 3-4 April 1987 Museum of London LONDON 16-17 October 1987 National Museums on Merseyside LIVERPOOL 7-8 October 1988 British Museum (Natural History) / Science Museum LONDON 21-22 April 1989 Ashmolean Museum / Pitt Rivers Museum / University Museum OXFORD 20-21 October 1989 Leicestershire Museums LEICESTER 25-26 May 1990 National Museums of Scotland EDINBURGH 26-27 October 1990 Fitzwilliam Museum / Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology CAMBRIDGE 28-29 October 1998 National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside LIVERPOOL 2-3 June 1999 The Regency Town House HOVE 7 September 1999 Natural History Museum LONDON 4 May 2000 National Maritime Museum LONDON 22-23 November 2000 University of Leicester / New Walk Museum and Art Gallery LEICESTER 7-8 June 2001 National Gallery LONDON 11 September 2001 Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery NORWICH 15 November 2001 (UK Museums on the Web Conference) Victoria and Albert Museum / Science Museum LONDON 10 October 2002 Victoria and Albert Museum LONDON 16-17 April 2002 Potteries Museum and Art Gallery STOKE-ON-TRENT 16-17 April 2003 Brighton Museum and Art Gallery BRIGHTON 23 October 2003 Tate Modern LONDON 22 April 2004 (‘Web Enabled’: UK Museums on the Web Conference) University of Leicester LEICESTER 8 July 2004 Birmingham Institute of Art and Design / Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery BIRMINGHAM 4 November 2004 British Museum LONDON 21 April 2005 (‘The Digital Object’: UK Museums on the Web Conference) University of Leicester LEICESTER 3 November 2005 World Museum LIVERPOOL 12 April 2006 Yorkshire Museum and Gardens YORK 6 July 2006 (‘User Specified’: UK Museums on the Web Conference) University of Leicester LEICESTER 16 November 2006 Natural History Museum LONDON 20 March 2007 Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology / Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences CAMBRIDGE 22 June 2007 (‘Web adept’: UK Museums on the Web Conference) University of Leicester LEICESTER 15 November 2007 London Transport Museum LONDON 23 April 2008 National Waterfront Museum SWANSEA 21-22 June 1991 Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery PLYMOUTH 8-9 November 1991 Museum of Science and Engineering NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE 12-13 June 1992 Hampshire County Museums Service / Wiltshire County Council Library and Museum Service WINCHESTER / TROWBRIDGE 30-31 October 1992 British Museum LONDON 4-5 June 1993 National Museum of Wales CARDIFF 2-3 December 1993 National Railway Museum YORK 18-2 1 May 1994 Ulster Museum BELFAST 20-21 October 1994 National Monuments Record Centre SWINDON 10-11 May 1995 Science Museum LONDON 21 September 1995 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew LONDON 16 May 1996 Museum of London LONDON 6 May 1997 London Transport Museum / Victoria and Albert Museum LONDON November 1997 Museum of Science and Industry MANCHESTER 24 June 1998 Royal Air Force Museum HENDON museums computer group

3. ‘ process of reflection’ proposed ‘ open call’ and scoping exercise synthesis of first phase results targeted questionnaire and consultation synthesis of second phase results proposals made to committee changes agreed at AGM recommendation of changes made to members spring meeting 07 autumn meeting 07 spring meeting 08 UKMW08 Summer 08 autumn meeting 08 CONSULTATION FORMULATION ACTION

4. ‘ process of reflection’ proposed ‘ open call’ and scoping exercise synthesis of first phase results targeted questionnaire and consultation synthesis of second phase results proposals made to committee changes agreed at AGM recommendation of changes made to members spring meeting 07 autumn meeting 07 spring meeting 08 UKMW08 Summer 08 autumn meeting 08 CONSULTATION FORMULATION ACTION

5. What you said … On Politics “ [Where MCG] is weakest is that it has no strategic or political voice or influence over the broader direction of ICT in museums.”

6. What you said … On Politics “ I'd like to see MCG start to set the agenda in the sector rather than just reflect on it. Our members represent a broad range of expertise and opinion that is uniquely positioned to contribute to the development of policy and technology in and beyond the sector.”

7. What you said … On Politics “ I like the way things work at the moment, especially when an interesting thread develops, and it would be nice to take some of them further. For example a recent thread on measuring web stats revealed a need for more consensus among funding institutions on what to measure (see the Web Focus blog post on government web stats). “

8. What you said … Web or Print? “ I would avoid all printed material - everything should be electronic. It’s not like I don’t have a printer if I want to print something out. The web enables a more professional appearance”

9. What you said … Web or Print? “ The most valued thing is the e-list, the extremely interesting and generous sharing of ideas and opinions from people.” “ Printed newsletters=no, online news=yes. Blog?”

10. What you said … Membership fees “ The current cost is good value if you go to one or both of the free meetings. If you don't go to a meeting then its not really worthwhile joining as you don't have to be a member to go on the email list I think the membership fee could be increased but only if we up our game and provide members with more / something they can't get elsewhere. It would be interesting to know how many people join up and stay members and how many join up for a year but never renew their membership.”

11. Governance ? structure responsibility size Interactions ? frequency location focus Membership ? composition benefits cost Outputs ? newsletter reports Web Function ? advocacy research collaboration Affiliations ? professional governmental commercial museums computer group

12. UK Museums on the Web Conference 2008 University of Leicester 19 June SPONSORED BY museums computer group