Increasing the local history museum efficiency

The article is devoted to the activities of local history museums located in small towns of Russia. The article examines the role of local history museums as a social institution and describes their transformation in modern society. The main subject of research in the article is the principles and technologies of organizing the activities of a local history museum. The article uses the example of the local history museum of the city of Bagrationovsk, Kaliningrad region, and analyzes its activities, attendance, work with tourism companies, the structure of the tourist flow, and forms of work with visitors. Using statistical methods shows an increase in the efficiency of the museum when working with organized children's groups. Using content analysis of visitor reviews gives the possibility to establish that the main content of the exhibition is insufficiently transmitted during museum service. The article, based on a study of the museum’s exhibition and an analysis of existing and promising technologies for museum services, formulates the principles and recommended forms of working with visitors, in particular, two principles for the development of a modern museum: interactivity and repeat visits. The article substantiates the effectiveness of the following forms and tools of the museum’s work with visitors: interactive exhibition, information kiosks, QR codes for expanded information about exhibits, the formation of excursions in the surrounding area, organized research activities of schoolchildren in the museum, master classes, summer schools, research shifts, game programs, museum quests, stimulation of the co-creation process, active use of souvenirs. The recommendation for interaction among local history museums and other educational and cultural institutions is substantiated.