LIBR 282-10 and 11
Seminar in Library Management
Topic: Managing a Local History Museum
Spring 2003

Ann Roberts
robera@mchsi.com

Course Links

Course Outline

GREENSHEET

Course Description

The course is designed to present an overview of management practices, principles, and standards necessary for the management of a local history museum.

The major topics for the course are:

1.) Museum organization and support

a.) Funding
b.) Staffing
c.) Volunteers

2.) Principles and Standards

a.) Museum standards
b.) Codes of ethics

3.) Collections

a.) Policies
b.) Care
c.) Registration and cataloging
d.) Archival collections

4.) Visitors and Interpretation

a.) Use of collections in exhibit
b.) Educational programming

5.) Museum missions and public image

a.) Outreach
b.) Community relations
c.) Historic preservation
d.) Websites and online resources

6.) Fundraising

a.) Grant writing
b.) Special events

7.) Practical matters

a.) Legal Issues
b.) Finding (and keeping) a job

8.) Connecting the dots

a.) Museum assessment
b.) Final exam

Course Objectives

At the completion of this course, the student should have a better understanding of historical museums and their related:

1.) Practices and standards,
2.) Collection policies and care,
3.) Exhibits and educational programming,
4.) Financial and community support, including grant writing,
5.) And practical issues, such as preparing for and finding a job, and legal issues surrounding museums.

The course supports the following School of Library and Information Science objectives by teaching students the major theories, important principles, and current practice in:

1.) Information management, including the selection, organization, storage, retrieval, dissemination and utilization of information.
2.) One or more specialized aspects of information management.
3.) Giving students the opportunity to take elective courses, practicums, and independent studies that prepare them to contribute to the work of the library and information professions.

Course Materials

Textbook (required)
Burcaw, G. Ellis. Introduction to Museum Work, 3rd edition. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., Lanham, MD.

Suggested additional textbook

Glaser, Jane R., with Zenetrou, Artemis A. Museums: A Place to Work, Planning Museum Careers. Routledge, New York, NY.

Additional readings of journal articles and website reviews, will be added during the course.