For example, at an exhibition of Roman coins at the Museum of Verulanium, St Albans, a computer next to the exhibition contained digital images of the coins, which were linked to a database that explained the significance of the symbols, and gave information on the lives of the different emperors. People on the other side of world can find out what the museum has in its collection, find out about the objects, and plan a visit. But unfortunately, these examples are very much exceptions. The main problem with the use of new technologies today is that, in general, they are not being used to elucidate collections. Their use represents a turn away from collections and knowledge about these collections, and towards other ends.
Collections form the substance at the heart of the museum.
The essential experience museums can offer is confrontation with the real thing, the essential insight they can offer is knowledge about these real things. Yet today, the value of the real thing, and the value of knowledge about the real thing, are being undermined. New technologies have been used to play a key part in this process. Instead of being used to communicate knowledge about the collection, new technologies are generally being used in three ways - all of which tend to reduce the quality of visitor experience in museums. The idea is that, by allowing visitors to imput data and interact with information, museums can build more 'engaged' relationships with them.