Reaching and Responding to the Audience [Paperback]

Museums exist to serve their audiences; however, the scope of this charge is constantly being challenged and changed. This book looks at new roles small museums have taken as they find ways to become irreplaceable members of the community, engaging with and advocating for their audiencefrom large-scale marketing and public relations efforts to welcome signs and entrances. Book Five encourages small museums to examine their audiences and make them comfortable, program to their needs and interests, and spread the word about the museums good work. It also features several case studies of successful evaluation programs, sample press releases, accessibility checklists, visitor experience checklists and more.

Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko is chief executive officer at the Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Stacy Klingler is assistant director of Local History Services at the Indiana Historical Society.

Along with suggesting easy-to-implement strategies, the Small Museum Toolkit Book 4 provides real-world examples of small museums successfully engaging their audiences. I appreciate the stand-alone nature and clear writing of each chapter, which allow me to pick up the book and quickly learn something useful. Mary Warner, Museum Manager, Morrison County Historical Society

Editors' Note
Preface
Bob Beatty
Chapter 1 Start Spreading the News: Marketing and Communication
Kara Edie
Chapter 2 In Lieu of Mind Reading: Visitor Studies and Evaluation
Stacy Klingler and Conny Graft
Chapter 3 Like a Good Neighbor: Community Advocacy for Small Museums
Barbara B. Walden
Chapter 4 Accessibility Is for Everyone
Kat Burkhart
Chapter 5 Good Visitor Service, or Put Down the Pencil and Put on a Smile!
Tamara Hemmerlein
Chapter 5 New Roles for Small Museums
Candace Tangorra Matelic
Bibliography
Index
About the Contributors