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Adding to my note the other day, where I tried to emphasize the importance of the exhibit experience itself -- thinking about what visitors "see and do" in exhibits vs. outcomes (how visitors will be changed after visiting the museum), I have found these books very useful in thinking about designing for the experience, exhibit design, evaluation and the overall museum experience.
Bob Russell

The Convivial Museum.
ByKathleen MacLean & Wendy Pollock.
2011.  The Association of Science TechnologyCenters.
A practice and richly illustrated book on how to design museum environments that have a welcoming spirit, an orientation to the community, comfort,
opportunities for social engagement, and are places for healing and renewal


Exhibit Labels: An InterpretiveApproach. 
By Beverly Serrell, Beverly.  
1996.  Alta Mira Press.
An excellent guide to developing exhibit labels that museum visitors will read and that
directly enhance the visitor experience.


Fostering Active Prolonged Engagement: The Art of Creating APE Exhibits.
ThomasHumphrey, Joshua P. Gutwill & the Exploratorium APE Team.
2005.  Exploratorium Museum Professional Series.
Research and practical guidance on designing exhibits that encourage prolonged engagement and encourage inquiry.


Group Inquiry at Science Museum Exhibits: Getting Visitors to Ask Juicy Questions at
Science Museum Exhibits  By Joshua Gutwill & Sue Allen.
2011. Exploratorium Museum Professional Series.
A research report and handbook on enhancing group inquiry at exhibits.


The Museum Experience.
By John Falk and Lynn Dierking.
1992. Republished by Left Coast Press.
Classic review of museum visitor research on the museum experience.


Planning for People in Museum Exhibitions
By Kathleen McLean
1993.  Association of Science Technology Centers.  
A practical guide to designing exhibits that draws from a variety of disciplines including
industrial, graphic and interior design to writing, editing, and psychology.


Try It! Improving Exhibits Through Formative Evaluation. 
By Taylor, Sam, ed. Beverly Serrell, assist. ed. 
1992.  Washington: Association of
Science-Technology Centers
Classic and still most practical review and “how-to” guide to formative evaluation.








 
 

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