Starting Right: A Basic Guide to Museum Planning

By (author) Gerald George, Carol Maryan-George

Publication date:

04 September 2012

Length of book:

182 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

236x160mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9780759121393

Are you thinking of starting a museum? Starting Right has been helping non-professionals learn the basics of museum planning for nearly three decades. This fully-revised, third edition will help you understand what you are getting into, evaluate prospects, avoid pitfalls, and take advantage of many kinds of available help. Addressing current and perennial issues facing new museums, from digital technologies to fund raising concerns, Starting Right takes you step-by-step through the process of creating a sound plan for starting your museum.

A Quick and Simple Summary of What’s In This Book

PART ONE: The Big Questions
Chapter One: What Makes a Good Museum?
Chapter Two: How Can You Finance It?
Chapter Three: Where Can You Get Help?

PART TWO: Nuts and Bolts
Chapter Four: Analyze for Essentials
Chapter Five: Organize for Operation
Chapter Six: Plan for Activities
Chapter Seven: Recruit the Human Resources
Chapter Eight: Now Will It Really Work?

PART THREE: Alternatives
Chapter Nine: And If You Don’t Want to Do All That?
Chapter Ten: And If You Are Planning a Historic House Museum?

PART FOUR: Some Basic Documents
A. Basic Organization Chart
B. Board Membership Responsibilities Agreement
C. Sample Museum Bylaws
D. Sample Position Description for a Director
E. Sample Certificate of Gift
F. Standard Object Cataloging Record

Acknowledgments
Index
About the Authors

For anyone thinking of launching a museum, historical society, or similar organization, Starting Right is the place to begin. The authors are knowledgeable, the scope is comprehensive, the advice is sound, the writing is clear, and the examples and sample documents are models. Starting Right is also a useful tool for museum studies students, a meaningful guide for trustees of existing museums, and a helpful review for museum professionals.