11th Australasian EMu User Conference 3-4 September 2013

Elena Newman Documentation Coordinator Museum of Islamic ArtDoha, Qatar

Object Locator at Museum of Islamic Art

Where we are

• Old object maps not regularly updated

• Manually updating object locations in galleries using powerpoint

• One person in charge of manually updating object maps using powerpoint but not efficient

• Looks confusing, not regularly updated so became out of date

The Problem?

• Separate maps used by showcase designers from 2007 annotated with Showcase numbers assigned by registration but somehow didn’t match those used by conservation

• Galleries team using completely different system – case manufacturer serial numbers

• Over 5 years some Changes to showcase locations on original plans were not updated

• Inconsistent showcase numbers and inaccurate maps

• Caused confusion when departments working together

• Became clear that there was a need for a tool to manage object and showcase maps in a central place

• First step- create showcase records for objects in emu and update object locations

• Then create digital maps of the galleries, plotting showcases in the right place

• Next steps- plot x,y,z coordinates

• Upload maps onto the server

• Train some staff from MIA to be able to plot showcase coordinates

Object locator – Report Based

Selected objects are plotted on the map

Different views can be selected

3d view incorporating levels

Thumbnails view

Details view

Q: Who is it for?

Potential Uses at MIA• Tracking gallery cleaning• Organizing object rotations• Record traps and trap events and use it for pest

management• Look at development with the Hanwell

environmental monitoring system • Develop new tours • Use within the exhibition process

Track Showcase Cleaning?

Gallery Rotations?

Could be used to analyse Pest Management data?

Dave Smith, ‘Whats Underfoot’ European Emu User Conference April 2012

Curatorial and Education departments planning tours?

Temporary Exhibitions Support?

Could be used to work with the Hanwell Environmental Data

• Centralised gallery, showcase and object maps for all departments

• Live up to date reports• Visual tool to aid data analysis in the future• Userfriendly interface• Possibly allow a degree of editing?

Our experience so far?

Questions?Tips?

Advice?Elena Newmanenewman@qma.org.qa

www.qma.org.qawww.mia.org.qa