The following reply refers to the operation of Pittsburgh's original Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, which was Pittsburgh's primary science and technology museum from 1939 to 1991:
> Does your staff work just in one particular area of your
> site or in one particular exhibit?
> What have been the pitfalls with
> staffing in this manner?
> What have been the successes?
As a relatively small museum, it was important for Floor Aides to be able to work in all parts of the building and know the operation of all exhibits. Of course, some staff members had their preferences for what part of the building or exhibit to staff; these preferences were honored as much as possible, which gave some staff members some expertise regarding certain exhibits and programs. However, it was still expected that each Floor Staff member have a working knowledge of all exhibits in the building.
> Does your staff only interact/ interpret in areas past the
> point of admission?
> Currently our staff work at the
> admissions desk, in the exhibit galleries, and guided
> tours. I would like to include an additional staff
> member so they can rotate to include our outdoor free
> spaces.
There were times when special events were held outside (where no admission fee is charged, of course), when the Floor Aides would interact with the public. However, for the most part, the admission fee was charged for any public access to the building. Admissions Clerks were a different job classification from Floor Aides.
> Does your staff work a set schedule or on an as needed
> basis?
> If it is as needed, how to you maintain
> their interest in the position during down times or periods
> of low hours, how do you staff during high volume times?
> Do you limit the number of days/
> weekends they can request off?
>
Each week, a new Floor Staff schedule was issued. In some cases, Floor Aides received, generally, the same schedule each week. However, other members of the Floor Staff, particularly high school and college students, often had schedules which varied each week.
November through February were the busiest months of the year, due to our very, very popular seasonal exhibit, the Miniature Railroad and Village
< http://buhlplanetarium3.tripod.com/MiniRR.htm >.
Some weekends, and particularly during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday weeks, it was not unusual for there to be one, two, sometimes three-hour waiting lines to see this exhibit!
The Summer months were the second-busiest time. The month of September
(when people return to work and school from vacations) was always the "deadest" month of the year at Buhl Planetarium. So, yes, we would schedule appropriately regarding the time of year and whenever special exhibits or events were occurring.
As the majority of our Floor Aides were students, they understood the changes in scheduling over the year.
> Do you limit the number of days/
> weekends they can request off?
As these are part-time employees, it was difficult to make too many limitations in this area. If it seemed as if a certain Floor Staff member was unreasonable in his continual requests for days off [AND, if there was no one to replace--most of the time there were other staff members who wanted extra hours], a Floor Supervisor would talk to that staff member.
gaw
Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director,
Friends of the Zeiss < http://friendsofthezeiss.org >
Electronic Mail - < [log in to unmask] >
SPACE & SCIENCE NEWS, ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR:
< http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com/#news >
Author of History Web Sites on the Internet --
* Buhl Planetarium, Pittsburgh:
< http://buhlplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Adler Planetarium, Chicago:
< http://adlerplanetarium.tripod.com >
* Astronomer, Educator, Optician John A. Brashear:
< http://johnbrashear.tripod.com >
* Andrew Carnegie & Carnegie Libraries:
< http://andrewcarnegie.tripod.com >
* Duquesne Incline cable-car railway, Pittsburgh:
< http://incline.pghfree.net >
* Public Transit:
< http://andrewcarnegie2.tripod.com/transit >
--- On Wed, 3/25/09, Tanya Brock <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> From: Tanya Brock <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Floor Staff Supervisors
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2009, 3:00 PM
> I am seeking help from managers of
> part-time floor staff.
>
> Currently I am evaluating the staffing model I have for my
> part-time floor staff (visitor service assistants) at our
> institution. Doing this has brought about some
> questions for others in the field. I would appreciate
> any insights that could be offered.
>
> Does your staff work just in one particular area of your
> site or in one particular exhibit?
> What have been the pitfalls with
> staffing in this manner?
> What have been the successes?
>
> Does your staff only interact/ interpret in areas past the
> point of admission?
> Currently our staff work at the
> admissions desk, in the exhibit galleries, and guided
> tours. I would like to include an additional staff
> member so they can rotate to include our outdoor free
> spaces.
> If your staff interact in areas where
> admission is not charged, have you seen any increases in
> admission or other revenue from this staffing model?
>
> Does your staff work a set schedule or on an as needed
> basis?
> If it is as needed, how to you maintain
> their interest in the position during down times or periods
> of low hours, how do you staff during high volume times?
> Do you limit the number of days/
> weekends they can request off?
>
> Again, thanks for your help.
>
>
>
> Tanya Brock
> Visitor Services Manager
> Minnetrista
> 1200 N. Minnetrista Pkwy.
> Muncie, IN 47303
> 765-287-3552
> www.minnetrista.net
> please consider the environment before printing this
> e-mail
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Minnetrista Cultural Center
> 1200 MInnetrista Parkway
> Muncie, Indiana
> United States
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