Open Forum

Dear All

What is your best way of responding to a visitor who has limited time in the museum? I think about this because I have answered this question as a former museum volunteer. The answer depends on what exhibits are on at the museum, generally I would steer them to the special/ traveling exhibit and if that is not an option then to take a look at the permeant collection. I hope this sparks all sorts of ideas. 

Thanks,

Rachel

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Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
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Hi Rachel,

Good question. My museum has about 20 acres of indoor exhibit space, and so takes about two days to explore thoroughly if you happen to be a "completist." For the limited-time visitor (really any visitor/group), we have a three point approach: in-person volunteer guidance, printed maps backed by lots of wayfinding signage, and a tour phone app (now in development).

Human interaction is important -- volunteers can get an idea of what visitors are interested in and send them right to the best spots to save time; our huge spaces can be daunting. Outside of that, we have guide maps and signage that let visitors make their own quick-tour plan, and, soon, a phone app featuring 2-hr and 4-hr visits with 14 and 27 stops respectively. Mobility is also a key factor to consider. We have electric carts and lots of places to rest.

Curators chose the app's multiple stops based on a few assumptions: (1) About 20% of total time will be spent in transit, (2) about 7 minutes can be expected at each stop, and (3) other things take time: eating, resting, shopping, and parking lot walking time are not factored in. Also, the time required to organize/gather groups must factor into anyone's time plan. Finally, the "shiny ball" element is a wild card -- along any planned tour, something not on the plan will attract visitors and burn some of their precious time.

I expect some of this logic can be adapted to smaller landscapes. I look forward to reading others' responses.

Cheers,
Doug

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Doug Lantry, PhD
Curator and Historian, Research Division
National Museum of the United States Air Force
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
douglas.lantry.1@us.af.mil
nationalmuseum.af.mil
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Usually, I start by assessing my visitor. Ages of people in the group, school group vs. family, out of state vs. local. Families with small kids I'll recommend exhibits with lots of things for the kids to touch and do. For example, our first floor has the most updated exhibits, so they have a lot more tactile experiences than our "objects in cases and lots of labels" action on the second floor. School groups: our temporary exhibit where they get to make exhibit components and display them because it can handle large groups AND it's really interactive. Out of towners - more likely our permanent galleries, so they can see not only the history of our state, but also how that history ties in to places across the country and around the world.

Often, I'll give the visitor a quick summary of what our exhibits are - we cover natural history, human history and art - and ask them if there's an area that most interests them before going into more detail on descriptions of any one gallery or exhibit. The important thing is taking their interests into account as well as their time constraints and what learning style seems appropriate for their age or social grouping.  

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Sandra Saha
Early Childhood Coordinator
Indiana State Museum
Indianapolis IN
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Dear Sandra

I agree that your approach is good one and it is always nice to see visitors enjoy even with limited time.

Thanks,

Rachel

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Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-29-2025 10:54 AM
From: Sandra Saha
Subject: What is your best way of responding to a visitor who has limited time in the museum?

Usually, I start by assessing my visitor. Ages of people in the group, school group vs. family, out of state vs. local. Families with small kids I'll recommend exhibits with lots of things for the kids to touch and do. For example, our first floor has the most updated exhibits, so they have a lot more tactile experiences than our "objects in cases and lots of labels" action on the second floor. School groups: our temporary exhibit where they get to make exhibit components and display them because it can handle large groups AND it's really interactive. Out of towners - more likely our permanent galleries, so they can see not only the history of our state, but also how that history ties in to places across the country and around the world.

Often, I'll give the visitor a quick summary of what our exhibits are - we cover natural history, human history and art - and ask them if there's an area that most interests them before going into more detail on descriptions of any one gallery or exhibit. The important thing is taking their interests into account as well as their time constraints and what learning style seems appropriate for their age or social grouping.  

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Sandra Saha
Early Childhood Coordinator
Indiana State Museum
Indianapolis IN
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