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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>

Jonah,

Unfortunately, I've been to many museums, zoos and aquariums that carry
books that are inaccurate and items that are inappropriate in their gift shops.
Some serve items on menus in restaurants that don't jive with the mission of
the facility (imagine an oceanarium serving shark fin soup in their associated
restaurants).

Staff members are usually unaware of these "faux pas" in the gift shops as
merchandising decisions are left to the retail buyers. With the support of
management, there are a number of facilities that now allow staff members
to review all merchandise before placing it on the shelves. However, without
management support, most retail buyers get very upset and feel that their
territory is being encroached upon when their judgement is questioned.

Julie Wignall

Biodynamics Inc.
7265 W. Coley Ave.
Las Vegas, NV  89117
(702) 368-4994



>
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Let me start out by saying: I'm not posting this to put anyone at RHF on
> the hot seat. (I could tell you about embarassing times when our center
> has flubbed on scientific accuracy too.) But FYI...
>
> The piece below appeared in the 2/20/04 edition of Swift Online, an
> excellent weekly column c/o the James Randi Educational Foundation.
> (http://www.randi.org/) And for the record, K.I.S.S. means "Keep It
> Simple, Stupid", the book in question is not associated with the rock
> band. I suspect that Randi knew this and the headline is a gag.
>
> Any comments?
>
> Jonah Cohen
> Outreach & Public Programs Manager
> Science Center of Connecticut
>
> ==========================================
>

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