Interpretive Planning for Museums: Integrating Visitor Perspectives in Decision Making

Museum professionals' increased focus on visitors in recent years has been demonstrated by, among other things, the enhanced practice of evaluation and the development of interpretive plans. Yet too often, these efforts function independent of one another. This book helps museums integrate visitors' perspectives into interpretive planning by recognizing, defining, and recording desired visitor outcomes throughout the process. The integration of visitor studies in the practice of interpretive planning is also based on the belief that the greater our understanding, tracking, and monitoring of learners, the greater the impact museums will make on public understanding of the science and humanities disciplines. An approach that advocates thoughtful and intentional interpretive planning that constantly integrates visitor perspectives is the next step in working with, rather than for, our communities; a step toward truly becoming visitor-centered and impactful as essential learning institutions of the 21st century.

Table of Contents:
list of figures, list of tables, preface, 1 Introduction, 2 Conceptual foundations, 3 Interpretive planning, 4 the outcomes Hierarchy, 5 Integrating visitor perspectives in Master Interpretive planning, 6 Integrating visitor perspectives in project Interpretive planning, 7 Concluding thoughts, appendix a example of outcomes Hierarchy used as an executive summary of visitor perspectives, appendix B sample tables of Contents of Interpretive plans, notes, glossary, references, Index, about the authors

About the Author :
Marcella Wells, Barbara H Butler, Judith Koke

Review :
"Let me start off by saying to the authors - thank you. What a great, one-stop resource for students, practitioners, and educators. I teach a class in Museum Interpretation and Meaning Making and this will now be a baseline text. ... This book is truly an important addition to the field. Practical without being plodding. Charts the complexity of the issues but makes it feel possible to master them. Reminds us from whence we came and charts the path towards which we need to go."--Kelly McKinley, Richard and Elizabeth Currie Executive Director, Education and Public Programming, Art Gallery of Ontario "I thoroughly enjoyed reading the text. Frankly, the idea of developing an Institutional Master Interpretive Plan is something I have never considered. But it is clear to me now how important and valuable it can be. ... I would definitely recommend the text to colleagues. It is thoughtful but not prescriptive. Any institution wanting to be more open, intentional, and systemic in its efforts will gain from this book. "--Charles H. Walter, Executive Director, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science