Reaching and Responding to the Audience

Preface by Bob Beatty Contributions by Kara Edie, Stacy Klingler, Conny Graft, Barbara B. Walden, Kat Burkhart, Tamara Hemmerlein, Candace Tangorra Matelic Edited by Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Stacy Klingler

Not available to order

Publication date:

16 November 2011

Length of book:

188 pages

Publisher

AltaMira Press

ISBN-13: 9780759113459

Museums exist to serve their audiences; however, the scope of this charge is constantly being challenged and changed. This book looks at new roles small museums have taken as they find ways to become irreplaceable members of the community, engaging with and advocating for their audience—from large-scale marketing and public relations efforts to welcome signs and entrances. Book Five encourages small museums to examine their audiences and make them comfortable, program to their needs and interests, and spread the word about the museum’s good work. It also features several case studies of successful evaluation programs, sample press releases, accessibility checklists, visitor experience checklists and more.

Editors' Note
Preface
Bob Beatty
Chapter 1 Start Spreading the News: Marketing and Communication
Kara Edie
Chapter 2 In Lieu of Mind Reading: Visitor Studies and Evaluation
Stacy Klingler and Conny Graft
Chapter 3 Like a Good Neighbor: Community Advocacy for Small Museums
Barbara B. Walden
Chapter 4 Accessibility Is for Everyone
Kat Burkhart
Chapter 5 Good Visitor Service, or “Put Down the Pencil and Put on a Smile!”
Tamara Hemmerlein
Chapter 5 New Roles for Small Museums
Candace Tangorra Matelic
Bibliography
Index
About the Contributors

Along with suggesting easy-to-implement strategies, the Small Museum Toolkit Book 4 provides real-world examples of small museums successfully engaging their audiences. I appreciate the stand-alone nature and clear writing of each chapter, which allow me to pick up the book and quickly learn something useful.