Hello all--my taken on this might be a little different than the 
>others.  If 
>at all possible, I have found that visitors, board members, etc., really 
>enjoy 
>the opportunity to see what goes into running a museum, from inventorying 
>to 
>cleaning.    At one institution I worked at, we scheduled major cleaning 
>projects (dusting books, vacuuming large rugs, cleaning paintings) to 
>January, 
>which was our slowest month of visitation.  We put announcements in the 
>newsletters, local papers, and posted signs at the doors so that visitors 
>would 
>know what was going on.  Our front-line staff was briefed on our projects 
>so 
>they could explain what was going on to curious visitors.  We also did 
>conservation reports during this time, so that visitors were able to see 
>the 
>curatorial staff interacting with artifacts, which also seemed to greatly 
>interest them.  Basically, if you approach it right, you can turn basic 
>housekeeping and collections care into another educational opportunity for 
>your 
>visitors, instead of disappointing those who show up at your museum only to 
>find 
>the doors shut: it is inevitable, as much publicity about your closing that 
>you 
>may do, that some will miss the message, and being turned away can leave a 
>bad 
>taste in the public's mouth. 
> 
>Just some things to think about! 
> 
>All best, 
>Christian Carr 
>Director, Sweet Briar Museum 
>Assistant Professor, Arts Management 
>Sweet Briar College 

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