ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Just a comment from a former science center CEO:  Yes, it would be lovely to be able to trust everyone who comes in to be honorable, and always give the benefit of the doubt to the stranger who claims a benefit.  And every place I have ever worked had some way to do this quickly--front desk staff could call over the senior "duty officer" who could, on the spot, make exceptions to nearly any rule (except safety issues).  This was done away from the admissions line, so as not to inconvenience people without special issues.

Having said this, there actually are people who cheat, regularly and sometimes very expensively for the institution and its members who are being cheated.  Photocopied and forged passes, membership cards borrowed from friends, stolen cards, and systematic abuses of the ASTC Passport program, like buying a cheap membership in a distant museum one never visits in order to get free admission to the nearby museum visited all the time.  When all these tricks become a double-digit percentage of admissions on a given day, it can become a serious threat to the institution's ability to meet its payroll and serve the public.

So some controls, and mutual consideration among museums, is vital for fairness and for healthy sustainability.  It would be great if museums could get together and agree on a uniform membership card system, which with bulk purchasing could speed processing for the visitors, lower costs for everyone, and reduce the opportunity for abuse.

Alan

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Alan J. Friedman, Ph.D.
Consultant
Museum Development and Science Communication
29 West 10th Street
New York, New York 10011 USA
T  +1 917 882-6671
F  +1 212 673-2279
E  [log in to unmask]

a member of The Museum Group
www.museumgroup.com

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