Glimpses of Museums : The West Bengal Scenario

Contents: Preface. Acknowledgements. I. Introduction. II. History and development of humanities and science museum in West Bengal: 1. Classification of museums. 2. Art museums. 3. History museums. 4. Science museums. 5. Development of the museums. 6. Important museums of West Bengal. III. Growth and characteristics of information in museums. IV. Information sources and services in museums: 1. Information sources. 2. Information services in museums. V. Information management systems in museums: 1. Past context. 2. Present scenario. 3. Functions. 4. Museum objects: problems. 5. Museum objects: documentation. 6. Museum objects: display. 7. Information retrieval: problems. 8. Aspects of information handling. 9. Visual information. 10. Audio information. 11. Indexing. 12. Microforms in museums. 13. Computerisation. 14. Human resources. 15. West Bengal -a case study. VI. Information management systems: suggestions and recommendations: 1. Target users. 2. Activities. 3. Planning. 4. Museum information centres. 5. Science centres. 6. Information audit. 7. Visitors\' approach. 8. Implementation of standards. 9. Application of computers. 10. Multimedia. 11. Internet. 12. Networking. 13. Man power development. 14. Suggestions and recommendations. VII. Conclusion. Appendices. Glossary. Index.

"The book is an outcome of five years research registered in the University of Calcutta. It offers much greater scope than others for a great mind - a mind of both breadth and depth. It has unveiled the past, shows and shows up the present, glimpses the future of museums in West Bengal, and within the compass of a single book, unfolds by degrees the whole society- society in its small and greatness, its sordidness and splendour, its obvious banalities and its unrealised mysteries. The skilful exercise of control over the acquisition, organization, storage, retrieval and dissemination of information in the museums of West Bengal has been dealt with exclusively in this book. It brings into limelight the historical development of the museums of West Bengal, alongwith the information management processes and perspectives. The book is unique in its approach on the information management concept, and will serve both the persons working in the museums, and the information sector alike." (jacket)