In a message dated 01-09-16 00:18:41 EDT, Lori Allen writes:

<< And though many Museologists would have you believe
 that the "reason for being" of museums is its collection of objects, I would
 like to point out that it is actually people. >>

I agree with the essence of Lori Allen's letter. but hope she will permit a
minor quibble, just to counter the implication that there is something wrong
with what "museologists would have you believe".  I do think that the "reason
for being" of museums is their collections of objects, but I also think that
it is understood (even if museologists don't always articulate it) that the
objects are collected, ultimately, for people.  There's no conflict there.
Yes, museum folks may sometimes forget to state that their work is "for
people," but that isn't what makes museums unique.  It seems to me that most
human institutions exist for people.

As I said, this is just a quibble about an otherwise fine message.

David Haberstich

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