Open Forum

Hello, 
I have become very interested in whether, how, and why museums dedicate lounge/office/work space for its members or other visitors. 
If you have such a space in your museum and are willing to share information with me (or even just let me know you have such space so that I can review your online description of the space), it would be much appreciated. 
My plan is to conduct this survey and share the information in a published article or blog post. 
Thank you very much,
Kim Rapp
Northwestern University

We have a research room that is next to our archives. It used to include a couch even! The space includes a lot of general reference materials, local history publications are offered freely, and there is a window where guests/members can interact with staff/volunteers working in the archives. There is a computer there as well for visitors to access some of our general information too. It does not see a lot of use however, so I've started working displays into the space to attract more traffic.

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TJ Honeycutt
Collections Manger
Wabash County Historical Museum
Wabash IN
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 10:59 AM
From: Kim Rapp
Subject: Work/office space for visitors or members

Hello,
An area I have become very interested in whether, how, and why museums dedicate lounge/office/work space for its members or other visitors.
If you have such a space in your museum and are willing to share information with me (or even just let me know you have such space so that I can review your online description of the space), it would be much appreciated.
My plan is to conduct this survey and share the information in a published article of blog post.
Thank you very much,
Kim Rapp
Northwestern University

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Kim Rapp PhD
Assistant Vice President, International Relations
Northwestern University
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Take a peek at what Colonial Williamsburg does. For their upper level donors and supporters they have a dedicated historic house that can be used for a variety of purposes from being a business center to a relaxing lounge. I always thought it was a nice way to make special friends of the museum feel special while fulfilling some needs.

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Courtney B. Wilson
Museum Consultant and Retired Executive Director
Courtney B. Wilson & Associates, LLC
Saint Augustine, FL 32080
410-340-4226
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 10:59 AM
From: Kim Rapp
Subject: Work/office space for visitors or members

Hello,
I have become very interested in whether, how, and why museums dedicate lounge/office/work space for its members or other visitors.
If you have such a space in your museum and are willing to share information with me (or even just let me know you have such space so that I can review your online description of the space), it would be much appreciated.
My plan is to conduct this survey and share the information in a published article or blog post.
Thank you very much,
Kim Rapp
Northwestern University