The Digital Literacy of Russian Museum Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This article presents the results of an analysis of the digital literacy of Russian museum employees, based on a nationwide online survey conducted in the spring of 2020, during the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This period also provided an opportunity to examine how museum employees adapted to sudden changes in working conditions. The study explores the functional structure of museum operations, the museum community’s attitudes toward digital IT systems, and the level of proficiency in various digital competencies. For comparative analysis, results from an all-Russian telephone survey by WCIOM and Social Business Group (SBG) are also incorporated. The findings indicate a high degree of technological optimism within the professional museum community and a general consensus regarding the acceptance of ongoing IT modernization and the deep integration of digital systems into daily museum operations. The most widely used systems include museum websites, corporate email services, and social media profiles. However, participants also expressed concerns about the digital security of these systems and the ability to ensure the long-term preservation of cultural assets. The assessment of digital competencies revealed that out of 17 areas, only one received a low proficiency rating (digital video editing), while three others were rated below average (digital video recording, working with antivirus and other IT security tools, and installing and configuring software). Notably, these competency ratings were higher compared to those of the general Russian population, including adults with higher education. The study also found that the adaptation of museum employees to self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenging experience. The rapid shift to remote work left little time for systematic preparation, in terms of infrastructure development and acquiring additional digital skills. Key difficulties identified by respondents included technical issues, organizational challenges, and the need for access to museum collections or premises. Despite these obstacles, participants viewed the new possibilities for organizing museum work remotely in a positive light.