While it doesn't surprise me that  "docent" is a common term used by all
museums, I am surprised that museum professionals would assume that the
term is meaningful to all of their visitors or even to most of their
members.

If an institution is trying to recruit docents, and especially if they're
having trouble getting volunteers, it may be helpful to interpret the term
in the announcements asking for docents.  Many people might assume that
they don't know what the word "docent" means then they obviously don't
have the skills to be one.  Instead of a headline saying "Docents needed,"
try "Love our museum? Got a little time? We need you."  Then explain in
the body of the text that you need docents and what a docent is.  (Yeah,
you'll have to change the wording, I write terrible copy, but you get the
idea.)

An example: In a recent visitor survey I worked on at one institution we
had a question about whether people had talked to docents.  I informally
observed that most people interviewed did not seem familiar with the
term, although most of them had encountered docents on their visit.


I have begun to wonder if it would be helpful for museums to use a
different term for docents or if museums might include in their signage
some funny and perky flip sign about "what's a docent?"  Or perhaps
docents should have the word on their name tag or jacket.

I know what you're thinking: many visitors probably don't need to know
what a docent is...
But on the other hand **any** visitor could be your next docent...


Annette Wilson
Doctoral Program in Architecture
University of Michigan

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