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Introduction
This study explores the role of utilising mobile technology to enhance access to and use of digital surrogates in galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAMs) for non-research use. The way in which outreach is defined often differs from the ways in which it is practiced and discussed in reference to technology and digital surrogates in GLAMs. The Glossary of Archives and Records Terminology defined outreach as “the process of identifying and providing services to constituencies with needs relevant to the repository’s mission, especially underserved groups, and tailoring services to meet those needs” (Pearce-Moses, 2005a). Concerning digital surrogates, previous literature has explored outreach on a case by case basis. A specific outreach initiative is often reported, but is seldom considered in the context of research concerning access to and use of digital collections. Much of the recent literature that considered technology within outreach initiatives focused on the use of social media applications such as Facebook and Twitter (Crymble, 2010). In the context of outreach, social media applications are utilised as a way to introduce digital collections and/or the institution to a wider audience. While important, the technology does not play a significant role in tailoring services to meet user needs (emphasis added, per the stated definition of outreach) – it “introduces” the institutions’ existing services.
Walk1916, a mobile app featuring augmented reality (AR) and geolocation technology attempts to tailor access to digital surrogates for “non-traditional” (non-research) users – those who seek to access digital surrogates for leisure purposes, such as a walking tour. Much has been written about how researchers, whether professional or amateur, access digital surrogates, but less is known about how non-researchers prefer to access and use digital surrogates in GLAM collections. While promoting a digital collection on social media can expose digital collections to a wider audience, it does not further understanding of how this audience would like to engage with the digital surrogates in GLAM collections. If the goal of outreach is to tailor services to meet the needs of a constituency, it is necessary to understand the needs and preferences of these non-researchers with regard to digital surrogates.
This research seeks to explore what characterises non-research user access to digital surrogates via a mobile walking tour app featuring AR and...