What is the eGuide ?

"…an exciting innovation"

The Fitzwilliam Museum's eGuide represents an important extension to the more traditional forms of interpretation, such as labels and leaflets, creating access to new layers of contextual information and curatorial knowledge. It provides the visitor with an effective way of discovering information about exhibits and stimulates different ways of approaching an object.

This information is provided on a handheld computer that combines audio, text, images, animations and video. Prompted by an expert audio commentary, the visitor is able to concentrate on viewing the object in front of them. They can also choose what they listen to and look at, reviewing it as required, and selecting different routes through the Museum according to their individual interests.

"A very welcome addition to the visitor's experience"

Visitors are guided by an interactive map on the eGuide, which indicates the position of the selected objects in the Museum and provides a point of entry to the information about these objects. A system of location tags throughout the galleries also offers a way for the visitor to find out where they are in the building. Simply by pointing the eGuide at the special information tags a floorplan is displayed on the screen indicating the visitor's current location.

How the eGuide works