Microsoft Libraries and Museums Podcast

"Anyone who has read Andersen's fairytales knows that Andersen fairytales is not about ending up with facts. It's about ending up with a sense of wonderment and it's about the play that goes on...so we wanted to create a place that that was much more telling the story like Andersen."

The Hans Christian Andersen House in Odense, Denmark, just reopened over a five year renovation. In addition to creating a space that reflects the playful nature of fairytales, the museum has also created a Minecraft world for students based on the story of Thumbelina. In this episode, Henrik Lubker, Creative Director, Mette Videl Kiilerich, Curator of Education, and Adam Clarke, Minecraft mapmaker and consultant, share their process for creating the experience. 

Plus, commentary by Microsoft's Catherine Devine. 

Interview transcript: https://bit.ly/3GG1kl3

Season three of the Microsoft Libraries and Museums podcast will share stories from around the world of how institutions are experimenting and innovating with mixed reality. 

As a field, we are continually pioneering new ways to make and strengthen those connections. With the power of augmented and virtual reality; immersive spaces and 360 video, we are elevating what a visitor experience can be and where it can happen.

Join us this season as we explore new worlds, new realities, and new futures.

Hosted by Emily Kotecki and produced by Microsoft's Catherine Devine. 

Full episode transcript: https://bit.ly/3jfsGEC

"It took a crisis - doesn't always need to take the crisis - but it took a crisis to for museums and libraries to realize they can really reach large audiences...be creative and...[achieve] more of the mission of the organization." 

Catherine Devine, Global Business Strategy Leader for Libraries and Museums at Microsoft, reflects on the  trends and ideas that emerged in season two. 

Full interview transcript: https://bit.ly/373XrG8

"There are a number of ways that libraries are integrating technologies to optimize the user experience, reduce costs, and make buildings more energy efficient." 

While the opportunities and benefits of adopting smart building technology are plentiful, libraries and museums are still nascent in this aspect of digital transformation. Janice Kung, Health Sciences Librarian at the University of Alberta, shares a prototype she created around monitoring noise levels and a vision for the future.

Plus, commentary by Catherine Devine. 

Read the full interview transcript: https://bit.ly/2UvkuqJ

Machine learning "allows us to tell richer stories with our collection because cognitive services can find patterns and can do things with a collection that would be time prohibited for a human being to do."

Dave Evans, Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Technology at the Computer History Museum, is leveraging machine learning to enrich how his museum shares its collection. Evans demystifies the technology, shares how any cultural organization can be begin adopting it, and what the broader, exciting implications would be if GLAM sector began using machine learning to unearth their collections.

Plus, commentary by Microsoft's Catherine Devine.  

Read the full interview transcript here: https://bit.ly/2T5cXy2

"We all decided we were going to harness this moment to see how we could make it into an opportunity to think differently about our practice."

Dr. Helen Charman, Director of Learning and National Programs at the Victoria and Albert Museum, focused on creativity in a crisis. When COVID-19 hit, her team transformed how they reached audiences beyond the walls of the museum. The result has been so successful it's changed the way they work moving forward. 

Listen to their story plus commentary by Microsoft's Catherine Devine. 

Full interview transcript available here: https://bit.ly/3hZ87en

"If we're talking about the Great Data Transformation of museums in 2020 and beyond, what we're talking about is this change in a more contemporary leadership style, which has more data, less process, and more empowerment for our teams."

Angie Judge, CEO of Dexibit, explains what she sees as the Great Data Transformation of the cultural sector to ensure a more agile and empowered future. 

Plus, commentary by Microsoft's Catherine Devine. 

Read the full interview transcript: https://bit.ly/3hmbvjb

"How do you pivot on a dime in today's world when the technology has locked you into  silos, so you can't get the data out around it?"

Neal Bilow, CEO and Founder of Terentia, sees a new future for collections and digital asset management systems that moves away from bespoke development, leverages data, and drives audience engagement. 

Plus, commentary by Catherine Devine. 

Read the full interview transcript: https://bit.ly/3qhKDVm

"Ticketing and fundraising pay for digital transformation. They are the revenue engine which provides the platform of  funding for everything else that you want to do."

Erin Lively Koppel, Chief Strategy Officer at Tessitura Network, reflects on the changing landscape of ticketing and fundraising as a result of the pandemic. She also shares how libraries and museums can adapt to these changes and prepare for a new financial future.  

Plus, commentary by Microsoft's Catherine Devine. 

Read the full interview transcript: https://bit.ly/3wByugv

"What's the most flexible and scalable way that we can expose our collections to the world?" 

Before Jen Looper studied computer language, she received her PhD in Medieval French literature. And while she may have jumped from French to JavaScript, she has always remained interested in supporting arts and culture through tech. Jen is the Cloud Advocate Lead at Microsoft and shares her vision for how cloud can support increasing access to more collections around the world. 

Plus, commentary by Microsoft's Catherine Devine.

Read the full interview transcript here: https://bit.ly/3iujm04