Digitising museum collections

balancing freedom of information and copyright requirements at a South African Museum

Abstract

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed the landscape of museum practices. As museums increasingly digitise their collections to enhance accessibility and engagement, they face numerous ethical dilemmas regarding intellectual property rights and copyright protection. Through this comprehensive case study, the authors explore the Albany Museum’s strategies, procedures, and initiatives to balance digital access with the imperative of complying with legislative requirements. Guided by an interpretivist worldview, this research is grounded in the Albany Museum’s experiences navigating the complexities of digitising its collections without compromising ethical standards. The study adopted a qualitative research approach, utilising semi-structured interviews. The findings highlight the delicate equilibrium the museum must maintain to uphold ethical standards while leveraging digital technologies to increase access to its collection. The study recommends that staff members at the Albany Museum receive training on digitisation and the protection of intellectual property rights and copyrights. Additionally, it suggests the implementation of quick-response (QR) codes for all exhibitions at the museum.