Robert Nichols wrote:
>
> I am interested in finding out about any experiences other institutions
> have had regarding effective means for addressing the needs of Non-English
> Speaking Background visitors.  We currently make limited use of
> multi-language signs.  Other alternatives under consideration include
> audioguides, computer touch screen information kiosks and
> handouts/guidebooks in different languages.
>

Let us not forget the vital role that gallery attendants and other
security personnel play in visitor services.  Security people are
usually the public's first and primary contact in a museum.  When hiring
guards, we should not overlook the benefits gained in employing
bilingual people.  At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art
<http://www.lacma.org> we have security personnel that speak a multitude
of languages, including Spanish, French, Dutch, Russian, Japanese,
Korean, Tagalog, and others.  Guards are not necessarily art experts,
but they can provide a wealth of information about the museum, from
general info about the institution to the location of certain types of
art.

Signs and handouts cannot compare to real-life human interaction, in my
humble opinion.

Regards,

Christian C. Burke
Security Operations Manager
Inter-Con Security Systems, Inc.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
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