MAAM 2026 Annual Conference

Technology promises a lot (and sometimes delivers!) but can cause as many problems as it solves if collection-specific needs are not part of the conversation early and often. Three collections professionals at very different institutions will speak to the wins and losses they've had recently with the use of technology to manage their specific collections and lessons learned.

Session Takeaways:
•Recognize that institution-wide technology procurement decisions must account for the specialized requirements of collections management, preservation, and access, which may differ from the needs of other museum departments.
•Identify practical and cost-effective technology solutions that can help collections staff address capacity gaps, streamline workflows, and maximize limited resources.
•Evaluate the appropriate role of technology in collections work, understanding both its benefits and its limitations, and advocate for additional staffing or resources when human expertise and labor remain essential.