At 01:37 PM 12/10/96 -0600, you wrote:
>
        I run a hands-on science centre, but was formerly in a museum, much
of the stuff is relevant to both though.
>
>1.  What have you liked/disliked about previous traveling exhibits
>you've had at your museum?

>DISLIKES
- Incompleteness - the thing comes with a video or CD-ROM as a crucial part,
but doesn't come with anything to play it on (and they don't tell you unless
you ask).

- Unweildiness when they don't break down into easily manoueverable sub
units for installing.

- Poor documentation, it comes without someone to oversee construction and
incomprehensible instructions.

- Disorganisation on the part of the loaners, they can't tell you clearly
what is in the thing, how many sockets it needs, minimum heights of ceilings etc

- Cost, I keep being offered travellers which require ridiculous payments
for the privilege of having them. I am involved in putting together
travelling shows (at present Medieval machines - ready late summer!) and it
is clear some people are just no realistic about what they try to charge -
it precludes us having some excellent stuff, whch is very annoying.

LIKES
Apart from when everything is the opposite of the above and a show just
slides in easily and happily, things i particularly like are

- shows coming with their own publicity materials or, even better, their own
publicist - I can't afford to print up glossy posters etc for every show we
take, so it is really useful

- The stimulus they give staff, if the show is a good one and works well, it
gives the team a good boost and stimulates lots of new ideas.


>2.  What do you look for when searching for potential traveling
>exhibits for your museum?
>
>- Interest value, are they going to get people excited and bring them in

- Relevance to the centres aims

- Floor area, no good if I can't get em in! 250 Sq M - YES, 1000sqM -NO!

- Cost, are the fees and other costs within my budget, can a deal be cut to
reduce the cash outlay?

- Availability, can I have it in a slot where I an fit it in and when it
isn't a dead patch. A show which comes just for December and January is no
good to me for example.

- Operational constraints, does it need any complex staffing arrangement,
difficult upkeep, need too many plugs
>
- Wear, I always like to see the thing before I commit, if it looks worn out
and tired I am less likely to go for it.

- Can I get it in? Does it break down into parts which fit through my doors,
does it have structures higher than my ceilings (difficult at my present
place - INSPIRE has ceilings up to 50ft high) etc.

- Does it come with strings attached, eg merchandise I must sell in the shop.



Hope this helps!
IAN SIMMONS

- A mind stretched by new ideas never returns to the same shape

                                        - RALPH WALDO EMERSON