MIP -- Mission

MIP is currently supporting information systems developed by a wide variety of projects in a diverse set of disciplines. By approaching museum and archival information system design from a general perspective, MIP has identified common approaches to information management across disciplines and has designed data structures and data access tools of general utility.

In addition to the museums and archives supported through MIP, a large number of individuals and departments are creating and managing academic information resources, designing information systems, and developing new technologies. These projects are highly variable with respect to overall goals, disciplinary area covered, and content produced. The variety of campus organizations that support academic information technology projects is found at the Computing & Communications page.

Provide ongoing strategic planning for museum informatics.

Develop and implement guidelines for data and information modeling, hardware, software, and networking options for deployment of electronic information systems in museums and collections.

Maintain an information clearinghouse about museum informatics issues, standards, and resources.

Evaluate, select, and implement or develop data access, analysis, and information management software tools for scholars.

Evaluate, select, and implement or develop curatorial and collection management software tools for curators.

Provide in-kind support for obtaining extramural funding for museum and archival information technology projects.

Assist museums and collections in implementing solutions to existing collection information management problems.

Promote information sharing among collections and institutions through high speed, local, national, and international networks.

Work with campus units, other institutions, organizations, companies, and individuals to influence and guide the direction and development of international standards, technologies, and funding that benefit museum informatics.