Twelfth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

The barrier for library exhibitions is that the communication system in literature is different from the one of the visual arts. Consequently, challenges arise when books and manuscripts become items inside cases. It is necessary to find alternative ways in which the public can experience such material. But how can this be done? For conservation reasons, visitors cannot handle valuable objects. So, what can be built around them to provide an immersive experience, while preserving their natural function of literary material and protecting them from deterioration? This study identifies three main areas to improve visitor experience, connected one to the other: a sense of Narrative, through different levels of Interpretation, facilitated by Interaction (physical, digital, social) both with objects and other people (i.e. other visitors, or staff members). Acknowledging the fact that exhibitions are complex systems and therefore it is not possible to define one model for all, this work focuses on a specific case study, the Treasures of the British Library exhibition. The aim is to contribute to a better understanding of the needs of the visitors of library exhibitions. Data on visitors’ profiles, behaviour, and experience, were collected through tracking and post-visit interviews, and analysed in order to address visitors’ needs and expectations. The main needs identified involve: a sense of narrative, to address different levels of knowledge and perspectives; characterisation of the space, manifestly relevant to the material exhibited; sensorial experiences and information about the stories of the objects, to preserve the ‘hands-on’ nature of literary materials.