ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
*****************************************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca Power [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2003 1:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Survey on making exhibits


ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
****************************************************************************
*

I am a graduate student at Southern Connecticut State University and
research assistant to Dr. Mary Brown, professor of Information Science.

We are interested in your opinion about what skills and knowledge are
needed to make exhibits.  Please take a few minutes in the next day or
two to fill out the attached survey. The survey should take less than
10 minutes to complete.

Your participation is sincerely appreciated.

Rebecca Power,
Graduate Student
Department of Information and Library Science
Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, Connecticut
[log in to unmask]


5760 Museum Survey        Fall 2003

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven CT 06515

SURVEY CONCERNING MAKING EXHIBITS

We are interested in your opinion about what skills and knowledge are
needed for non-museum personnel to make exhibits.  Please take a few
minutes in the next day or two to fill out and e-mail us this survey.
The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

In responding to the survey consider this scenario: An individual who
has no background in museum work will be planning and implementing an
exhibit in their organization.

Please indicate how important (critical, helpful, unnecessary) you
think the following skill and knowledge areas will be to creating a
successful exhibit. Please type the appropriate number in the space
provided.

1 = Critical     2 = Helpful     3 = Unnecessary or better to be
outsourced

[  1 ]  Time management
Knowledge of how much work and time it takes to make exhibits
Ability to make and follow a timetable

[ 1  ]  Money management
Knowledge of the costs inherent in exhibits
Ability to write and monitor a budget
Ability to write grants
Ability to fundraise within the community

[  2 ]  Business considerations
Ability to write contracts
Knowledge of organization?s liability
Knowledge of insurance policy
Knowledge of security issues
Knowledge of publicity methods and deadlines

[ 1  ]  Purpose and theme
Identification of goals at outset
Written exhibit/display policy
Development of exhibit idea/theme
Skilled at researching exhibit topics

[ 1  ]  Exhibit theory
Knowledge of different kinds of exhibits
Knowledge of exhibit philosophy
Knowledge of what makes a successful exhibit
Knowledge of how people use exhibits

[  2 ]  Educational theory
Knowledge of educational philosophies
Knowledge of how and why people use the organization
Knowledge of exhibit audience

[ 1  ]  Exhibit and label design
Ability to create visual design to correspond with theme
Skilled at technical drawing/drafting
Skilled at model making
Skilled at writing and editing labels
Skilled at graphic design (and appropriate computer applications)
Knowledge of printing processes and availability
Knowledge of appropriate label location

[ 1  ]  Spatial considerations
Knowledge of patron traffic patterns
Knowledge of exhibit location?s affect on usage
Knowledge of safety issues in exhibits
Skilled at drawing designs/layouts

[  3 ]  Evaluation
Skilled at conducting evaluative interviews
Front end evaluation
Formative evaluation (prototyping)
Summative (end) evaluation
Documenting the exhibit

[  1 ]  Accessibility
Knowledge of universal design
Knowledge of disabilities and how they affect exhibit use
Knowledge of different learning styles
Ability to build a network of accessibility advisors
Knowledge of cultural and gender equity in exhibits

[ 1  ]  Conservation
Knowledge of appropriate display methods for objects
Knowledge of archival materials (papers, paints, textiles, etc.)
Knowledge of and ability to control temperature and humidity
Knowledge of appropriate light levels

[ 2  ]  Application of business techniques
Knowledge of retail display design
Knowledge of object display techniques

[ 1  ]  Fabrication and installation techniques
Skilled at woodworking/power tool use
Knowledge of exhibit fabrication materials
Knowledge of exhibit installation techniques
Knowledge of exhibit lighting
Knowledge of materials and methods to create labels
Skilled at fabricating and mounting labels

[  1 ]  Programming and accompanying materials
Ability to plan related programs
Ability to create brochures/take home materials
Ability to gather books and materials related to theme
Knowledge of other community resources related to theme

[   ] Additional essential skills or knowledge (please list)




What is the main purpose of a museum?
[   ]  education      [   ]  entertainment     [   ]  access to
collection     [ 1  ]  other (please specify)
dependent on mission statement

What is the main purpose of a library?
[   ]  education      [   ]  entertainment     [  1 ]  access to
collection     [   ]  other (please specify)


Should libraries have exhibits?     [ 1  ]  Yes     [   ]  No


What kind of exhibits/displays are appropriate for a library? (Please
check all that apply.)

[ x  ]  an exhibit of artwork
[   ]  a hands-on exhibit
[ x  ]  a bulletin board
[ x  ]  a traveling exhibit
[   ]  an exhibit with movable parts
[ x  ]  a glass display case


Should museums and libraries partner to create and display exhibits?

[  1 ]  Yes     [   ]  No


What is your job title?
exhibits design+management

How many exhibits have you mounted?
[   ] none   [   ] a few   [ 1  ] major component of job


Thank you for your participation!

Please return this survey to: [log in to unmask]

Dr. Mary E. Brown, Buley 416
Dept of Information & Library Science
Southern Connecticut State University
501 Crescent Street
New Haven CT 06515
[log in to unmask]
Fax: 1.203.392.5780

Rebecca Power
Dept of Information & Library Science
Southern Connecticut State University
[log in to unmask]

Thank you so much for your time. (Surveys also may be faxed to
1.203.392.5780)

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]

***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message  SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]