I recently put a sign in our elevator titled "A
Message From Your Curator" -- I explained why it is
harmful to touch the artifacts, why they might see
staff members wearing white gloves, etc.  I put the
same sign in other areas as well.

I chose that title because I wanted our visitors to
think of me as serving THEM -- hence the "Your
Curator."

After reading this, I realize the flash/camera thing
should have been explained too!  We allow cameras in
our science center, but not in the history galleries.
It is easy to forget that what is so commonplace to us
is brand new to many/most of our visitors.

This past weekend I brought some friends to our museum
who had never been here before.  I think we all should
do that whenever possible.  It really renewed the
sense of wonder I experienced when I came here for the
first time for my interview.  It is important for us
to reaquaint ourselves with our visitor's experience,
instead of thinking of our buildings as a place we
come to every day, five days a week, all year long...

=====
Kimberly A. Kenney, Curator
McKinley Museum
800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW
Canton OH 44708 * 330-455-7043
"Let us ever remember that our interests are in concord, not conflict; and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war."  --25th United States President William McKinley

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