EBC made a good point regarding the AAM's ability to be a lively forum for
serious discussion of heated issues in the museum field.  How long has it
been, for example, that anyone has taken a good look at the overall
format/content, utility to its readers, and relevance to the profession(s)
of its AVISO and Museum News?   This is the face that AAM shows to most of
its members year 'round.

        AVISO is a fine little news sheet and may be useful primarily for its
listings and its classifieds, but it's chock full of tidbits about
government and political things and I have found that it ends up becoming a
throwaway for lots of readers.

        Museum News seems to be saved by its subscribers, in part because it
"looks" appropriately dignified when it is placed around conference rooms
and offices.  And yes, it has well-done articles that seem to appeal to
various kinds of professionals within the museum field.  For as long as I
can remember, however, it has been design-heavy, by which I mean it
emphasizes appearance and color printing technology to the detriment of
additional solid reading matter and content.

        Suppose color and expensive paper were eliminated, and the dollars saved
were put toward expanding AVISO's content and size?

        Is anyone in AAM looking at these things?  In the late 1960s, for example,
many of America's leading universities began burying their old alumni
periodicals in order to give birth to "mag-papers," substantial monthly
tabloids on newsprint or uncoated stock capable of running on web presses.
The alumni wanted and received  much more timely information, more often,
as a result.  The higher education PR/Development professional organization
CASE also changed its communication focus.   And there emerged the
wonderful weekly newspaper "Chronicle of Higher Education," a profitable
enterprise.

        One wonders how many of us would subscribe to a "Chronicle of Museums" if
the publisher of the original "Chronicle" were to consider putting one out
monthy.  It has already long ago developed a monthly called "Chronicle of
Philanthropy."  Then, one wonders, how many of us would still pay AAM's
annual dues?