I am reminded of the staff reaction (not good!)during a building planningn
discussion by a trustee who proposed that the new facility go so far as to
have public windows into all staff offices and work spaces. The types
of "open storage and work" areas that listers seem to recall positively
(myself included)are actively used for collection processing and
conservation.  One of the issues raised bythe original post was that the
function of the space had changed and was now used as a temporary
exhibition area.  This raises a different question from solely an issue
of "should the public see the daily activities of a working museum" to one
of continuity for the exhibition as well.  The exhibitions in the temporary
space may be related to the activities in view through the window, or it
may be a disconnect to the experience of the exhibition.  Visitors
unfamiliar with the "window on the world" in that gallery may assume that
the collections work room has something to do with the topic of the
exhibition. If the window is open and the space changes, clear signage will
be important to communicate what is going on in the workroom and perhaps
why it is available to be seen where it is ("On the other side of this
wall...").

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