Open Forum

Hi folks,

Lots of mentions of different genres that people like to read but what museum-related book(s) are on your bedside table right now?

I'm looking at a new one by Brenda Trofanenko and Avner Segall called Beyond Pedagogy: Reconsidering the Public Purpose of Museums.

Look forward to hearing about yours!
C.

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M. Christine Castle PhD
Editor, Museum Education Monit
Whitby ON
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I'm not reading one currently; however, I'm hearing more and more about the Kennewick Man story, and I'm very intrigued!

http://www.amazon.com/Kennewick-Man-Scientific-Investigation-Publications/dp/1623492009

Then again I think I'm gonna wait a few months till it becomes available in digital format. :P

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Aviva Westheim
Membership Associate
Edison NJ
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Not directly museum-related, but I'm reading "What it's like to go to war" to gain insights for a new veterans program we hope to launch. 

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Sarah Jesse
Associate Vice President of Education
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Los Angeles CA
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I have been researching history education. So, while it's not strictly a museum book, I recently read Sam Wineburg's Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past, which I recommend to anyone who thinks about content in history museums.

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Rebecca Herz
Independant Consultant
Peoria IL
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Museum Branding, How to Create and Maintain Image, Loyalty, and Support by Margot A. Wallace. Wallace is a marketing professor and through interviews  and her research does a great job showing how museums can compete with other museums for visitors. It's interesting to see how the way old style museums functioned has crumbled away to compete with other forms of entertainment.

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Uriél Dana
Fine Artist/Restorer
Oakland CA
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This is a great topic, I love seeing what everyone is reading--so many books, so little time! 

I recently finished reading "Magnetic: The Art & Science of Engagement" which provided unique insight on what is means to be engaging in every aspect--from the board on down--in the form of case studies. Nice to hear what has worked for different institutions and why.

I've just have just cracked the cover of Falk's "Identity and the Museum Visitor Experience." I'm a little behind since that came out a few years ago now, but can hopefully find some time to read it too.

On a side note, I saw someone mentioned the new book about Kennewick Man. I would also love to read that. I had the pleasure of working for Dr. Owsley as his curatorial assistant when I was in grad school (worked on the Written in Bone exhibition at NMNH) and got to hear from him first hand about the case. I'm so pleased it all worked out in the end (at least from the scientific community point-of-view).

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Sara Devine
Manager, Interpretive Materials
Brooklyn Museum of Art
Brooklyn NY
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Both of these books have been influential in the work our museum has done to become "ruthlessly audience centered".  I would recommend both.

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Rebecca Gilliam
VP Visitor Experiences
Minnetrista
Muncie IN
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I am just starting (a bit late) Maxwell Anderson's "The Quality Instinct."  I'm very interested in connoisseurship, and especially admired what he accomplished at Indianapolis. So, when it was recommended to me I picked it up. Looks good so far.


Lisa

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Lisa Miller
Bethesda MD
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I am reading Progressive Museum Practice: John Dewey and Democracy by George Hein.....

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Mark Osterman
Guiding Programs Manager
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Miami FL
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I'm re-reading Attention and Value: Keys to Understanding Museum Visitors by Stephen Bitgood (there is a LOT to take in) and Digital Technologies and the Museum Experience: Handheld Guides and Other Media Ed. by Loic Tallon. 

I recommend both!

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Meghan Stockdale
Research Analyst
Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland OH
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Hi All, 

This is a wonderful conversation and I look forward to cracking into some of these titles. Right now I am reading Museums and Social Activism: Engaged Protest by Dr. Kylie Message. 

http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415658539/

Keep the titles coming! 

E
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Erin Bailey
Public Programs
Henry Art Gallery
Seattle WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2014 04:36 PM
From: M. Christine Castle
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

Hi folks,

Lots of mentions of different genres that people like to read but what museum-related book(s) are on your bedside table right now?

I'm looking at a new one by Brenda Trofanenko and Avner Segall called Beyond Pedagogy: Reconsidering the Public Purpose of Museums.

Look forward to hearing about yours!
C.

-------------------------------------------
M. Christine Castle PhD
Editor, Museum Education Monit
Whitby ON
-------------------------------------------

I am rereading Steven Johnson's Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today's Popular Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter. He was at AAM back in 2008, maybe? That session, and his books have had a lasting impact on what we do here at the Carnegie Museum. He was excellent and the room was packed. Looking forward to reading his new book How We Got to Now: Six Innovations That Made the Modern World.


Also really enjoyed Magnetic: The Art and Science of Engagement and Creativity in Museum Practice. Both excellent books. I do think we need to read widely, so I will be taking notes on all of the posts to see what I have been missing. This is a great discussion topic. 

Kat

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Katherine Burkhart
Executive Director/Curator
Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County
Crawfordsville IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2014 04:36 PM
From: M. Christine Castle
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

Hi folks,

Lots of mentions of different genres that people like to read but what museum-related book(s) are on your bedside table right now?

I'm looking at a new one by Brenda Trofanenko and Avner Segall called Beyond Pedagogy: Reconsidering the Public Purpose of Museums.

Look forward to hearing about yours!
C.

-------------------------------------------
M. Christine Castle PhD
Editor, Museum Education Monit
Whitby ON
-------------------------------------------

I'm reading The Networked Nonprofit by Beth Kanter and Allison Fine.  It's kind of gimmicky in places, but has some real gems of insight as regards effectively using social media within a museum setting.  Also (finally) finishing up Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads by Stephen Asma, for all of you natural history buffs in the the mix.
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Nicholas Griffith
Collections Technician
Honolulu
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2014 04:36 PM
From: M. Christine Castle
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

Hi folks,

Lots of mentions of different genres that people like to read but what museum-related book(s) are on your bedside table right now?

I'm looking at a new one by Brenda Trofanenko and Avner Segall called Beyond Pedagogy: Reconsidering the Public Purpose of Museums.

Look forward to hearing about yours!
C.

-------------------------------------------
M. Christine Castle PhD
Editor, Museum Education Monit
Whitby ON
-------------------------------------------

I'm currently reading Introduction to Museum Work by G. Ellis Burcaw.  I read it at the museum when there is downtime (which isn't often), so it'll take me a while to get through it :-)

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Kristin Segura
Volunteer at New Bedford Whaling Museum
Dartmouth, MA
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I love this discussion! I have so many books now added to my list. 

Currently, I am re-reading two books in accordance with thesis research. 

Inspiring Action: Museums and Social Change, published by MuseumsEtc 

Museums at Play: Games, Interaction, and Learning, edited by Katy Beale

The latter is really interesting as it provides case studies and examples of how to address the growing "gaming" culture and children's desire to play within a museum setting. 

Sincerely,

Ashley 

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Ashley Scotto
Education Assistant
Historic Speedwell
Morristown, NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2014 04:36 PM
From: M. Christine Castle
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

Hi folks,

Lots of mentions of different genres that people like to read but what museum-related book(s) are on your bedside table right now?

I'm looking at a new one by Brenda Trofanenko and Avner Segall called Beyond Pedagogy: Reconsidering the Public Purpose of Museums.

Look forward to hearing about yours!
C.

-------------------------------------------
M. Christine Castle PhD
Editor, Museum Education Monit
Whitby ON
-------------------------------------------

Hi all! Just wanted to say a quick thanks for all the titles you guys are throwing out! I am very new to the museum field, just graduated with a BA in Historic Preservation in May and have been a full-time for about 4 months. Besides some articles that I had to read for classes, I've not ever read a museum related book. I'm really looking forward to trying all of these books you are recommending!  

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Christine Clements
Curatorial Assistant
Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail
Warrenton VA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2014 04:11 PM
From: Ashley Scotto
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

I love this discussion! I have so many books now added to my list. 

Currently, I am re-reading two books in accordance with thesis research. 

Inspiring Action: Museums and Social Change, published by MuseumsEtc 

Museums at Play: Games, Interaction, and Learning, edited by Katy Beale

The latter is really interesting as it provides case studies and examples of how to address the growing "gaming" culture and children's desire to play within a museum setting. 

Sincerely,

Ashley 

-------------------------------------------
Ashley Scotto
Education Assistant
Historic Speedwell
Morristown, NJ
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2014 04:36 PM
From: M. Christine Castle
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

Hi folks,

Lots of mentions of different genres that people like to read but what museum-related book(s) are on your bedside table right now?

I'm looking at a new one by Brenda Trofanenko and Avner Segall called Beyond Pedagogy: Reconsidering the Public Purpose of Museums.

Look forward to hearing about yours!
C.

-------------------------------------------
M. Christine Castle PhD
Editor, Museum Education Monit
Whitby ON
-------------------------------------------

I am currently reading The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is mostly an exploration of the true story of Eustace Conway, a naturalist, adventurer, and environmental and primitive technologies educator who lives in a teepee on a 1000 acre preserve in the Appalachian mountains. However, I thought it was worth adding to this list because of the credit he gives to the Schiele Museum and its staff for making such an incredible impact on the path of his life at an early age. Fascinating story.


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Brent Tharp
Director
Georgia Southern University Museum
Statesboro GA
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-23-2014 08:33 AM
From: Christine Clements
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

Hi all! Just wanted to say a quick thanks for all the titles you guys are throwing out! I am very new to the museum field, just graduated with a BA in Historic Preservation in May and have been a full-time for about 4 months. Besides some articles that I had to read for classes, I've not ever read a museum related book. I'm really looking forward to trying all of these books you are recommending!  

-------------------------------------------
Christine Clements
Curatorial Assistant
Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail
Warrenton VA
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2014 04:11 PM
From: Ashley Scotto
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

I love this discussion! I have so many books now added to my list. 

Currently, I am re-reading two books in accordance with thesis research. 

Inspiring Action: Museums and Social Change, published by MuseumsEtc 

Museums at Play: Games, Interaction, and Learning, edited by Katy Beale

The latter is really interesting as it provides case studies and examples of how to address the growing "gaming" culture and children's desire to play within a museum setting. 

Sincerely,

Ashley 

-------------------------------------------
Ashley Scotto
Education Assistant
Historic Speedwell
Morristown, NJ
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2014 04:36 PM
From: M. Christine Castle
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

Hi folks,

Lots of mentions of different genres that people like to read but what museum-related book(s) are on your bedside table right now?

I'm looking at a new one by Brenda Trofanenko and Avner Segall called Beyond Pedagogy: Reconsidering the Public Purpose of Museums.

Look forward to hearing about yours!
C.

-------------------------------------------
M. Christine Castle PhD
Editor, Museum Education Monit
Whitby ON
-------------------------------------------

This is great! I'm going to start a personal reading list based on this conversation. Or maybe collect all the titles and put them in one post? At the moment I work at an Archaeology lab, so I'm looking into different discussions on archaeology collections. I'm writing a paper that will respond to some of the literature out there, specifically geared toward the infamous "curation crisis". The titles are: Our Collective Responsibility: the Ethics and Practice of Archaeological Collections Stewardship (S. Terry Childs, Editor) Ethical Issues in Archaeology (Zimmerman, Vitelli, Holowell-Zimmer) ------------------------------------------- Elizabeth Campos Laboratory Assistant UC Berkeley -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 09-30-2014 04:36 PM From: M. Christine Castle Subject: What museum-related book are you reading? Hi folks, Lots of mentions of different genres that people like to read but what museum-related book(s) are on your bedside table right now? I'm looking at a new one by Brenda Trofanenko and Avner Segall called Beyond Pedagogy: Reconsidering the Public Purpose of Museums. Look forward to hearing about yours! C. ------------------------------------------- M. Christine Castle PhD Editor, Museum Education Monit Whitby ON -------------------------------------------

Great thread!  I've jotted down a list of titles I want to read next :)  At the top of it is Kennewick Man.

@ Sara Devine - I read Falk's Identity and the Museum Visitor Experience and especially liked Chapter 9, where Falk talks about attracting different personality types - Explorers, Facilitators, Experience Seekers, and Professional/Hobbyists.

On my nightstand is Good Counsel by Lesley Rosenthal.  It's about the legal needs of nonprofits, and highly applicable to museums.  It's a very accessible read that covers a wide variety of legal issues most museums face, such as governance and H.R. matters and even what to consider when issuing press releases.  I'd recommend it as a primer / survey for those in a leadership capacity without in-house counsel.

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Barron Oda
Associate General Counsel
Bishop Museum
Honolulu HI
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I've not yet read them but on my to-do list are Windows on Nature: The Great Habitat Dioramas of the American Museum of Natural History and The Breathless Zoo: Taxidermy and the Cultures of Longing
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Lena Hernandez
Collections Manager/Registrar
Museum of Science & History
Jacksonville FL
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I'm just diving into The Museum Effect -- How Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Institutions Educate and Civilize Society by Jeffery K. Smith, professor of education and associate dean of research at the College of Education, University of Otago, New Zealand. While the book documents the phenomenon of how visitors develop connections with museum works/objects and their creators/users, I'm especially interested in the book's ideas about how museums can facilitate the process of cultivating connection. 

I developed great respect for Jeff's work when he led the audience evaluation and research work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and he also supported select visitor research projects for me when I was working at the Guggenheim Museum (NYC, 1990s) and then again at the Philadelphia Museum of Art a decade later.  

The title also brings to mind The Loyalty Effect: The Hidden Force Behind Growth, Profits, and Lasting Value​ by Frederick Reichheld -- 
an all time favorite of mine that guided my work of building a loyalty-based membership and visitor services business model for the Philadelphia Museum of Art over a 10 year period. Though not a museum book it's guiding principles have shaped the world of understanding true customer, staff, and investor/supporter loyalty and has key lessons for all nonprofits. I'll save that for another thread. 

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Suzette Sherman
President, Sherman Consulting Group
Chevy Chase MD
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-30-2014 04:36 PM
From: M. Christine Castle
Subject: What museum-related book are you reading?

Hi folks,

Lots of mentions of different genres that people like to read but what museum-related book(s) are on your bedside table right now?

I'm looking at a new one by Brenda Trofanenko and Avner Segall called Beyond Pedagogy: Reconsidering the Public Purpose of Museums.

Look forward to hearing about yours!
C.

-------------------------------------------
M. Christine Castle PhD
Editor, Museum Education Monit
Whitby ON
-------------------------------------------

This has been such an awesome thread that I figured it might be useful to have all the titles that have come up listed in one place.

So voila, I present to you all the reading suggestions list! I'm sure that there will be many additions.

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Guzel duChateau
Assistant Director, Strategic Communications
American Alliance of Museums
Washington DC
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