The National Museum of Bermuda has decided to put its future in the public’s hands.

The museum has just launched an online survey to gauge what residents think of the way the Dockyard institution operates and what, if any, areas could be improved on.

The responses will then be collated and used to shape the National Museum’s five-year strategic plan.

Curator Elena Strong said: “Now that we are the National Museum, the scope of the Museum has expanded to encompass all aspects of Bermuda cultural heritage, not just maritime history, and we need the public’s help to guide the focus, priorities and long-term vision.

“Moving forward we want to remain relevant to residents and visitors and encourage wider public engagement while continuing to safeguard, exhibit, research and publish Bermuda’s cultural heritage.”

The survey poses a series of questions that relate to visitors’ backgrounds, how they have used the museum, their impressions, and what they would like to see and learn about at the institution.

The National Museum is a registered charity that was established in 1974 as the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

In 1978, an Act of Parliament formally acknowledged the Museum’s aims as: to promote, collect, preserve, research and exhibit Bermuda’s maritime history and restore the buildings of the Keep.

Since then it has grown from a volunteer-run, 10-acre derelict site to a 16-acre museum and research facility run by professional staff with restored historic buildings housing a range of exhibits.

The Bermuda Government recognised the wider role the museum has been playing and agreed to rename the institution, the National Museum of Bermuda, which now includes the Casemate Barracks and adjoining buildings.

In December 2013, the Museum Amendment Act was passed in the House of Assembly, which officially established the National Museum of Bermuda.

“The transition to the National Museum is an important milestone for Bermuda,” said executive director, Edward Harris. “As we value the opinions of the public, we hope that many people will respond to the survey and help us plan the future direction of the National Museum.”

The deadline for submissions will be March 6. For more information about how to access the survey contact curator@nmb.bm or go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/2CGQNRM