Don't forget the AAM's Excellence and Equity! *************************************************************************** On Wed, 7 Feb 1996, Doug Lantry wrote: > For a sense of the wider ethos of museums, collecting, and the function > of institutions that preserve the material past, take a look at: > > American Association of Museums. _Museums for a New Century_. Report of > the Commission on Museums for a New Century. Washington, D.C.: American > Association of Museums, 1984. > > In particular, see ch. 2, "Stewards of a Common Wealth." You might also > take a look at: > > Noble, Joseph Veach. "Museum Manifesto." _Museum News_ 48:8 (April > 1970):16-20. He explains his view of museums' functions of acquisition, > conservation, study, interpretation and display of objects. > > Finally, the following may help: > > Weil, Stephan E. _Rethinking the Museum and Other Meditations_. > Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, 1990. > > Leon, Warren and Roy Rosenzweig (eds.). _History Museums in the United > States: A Critical Assessment. Chicago: University of Illinois, 1989. > > The above are full of views relative to your question; I hope you find > them useful. > > Regards, > Doug > > > > ........................ > Doug Lantry > University of Delaware > [log in to unmask] > > On Tue, 6 Feb 1996, Karen Senger wrote: > > > Hello! I am seeking help with research I am doing concerning the > > "mission" of museums. I understand each museum has it's own > > distinctive reason for being, goals and purposes; but is there an > > over-riding purpose for the museum (re. zoo, art museum, natural > > history centre, etc)? To preserve and educate is a necessary and > > vital function, I agree; but for this research I must play the > > "devil's advocate" and agrue the necessity of the museum for both > > mankind as well as individuals of all socio-economic backgrounds. > > All help and (constructive) opinions are appreciated. Thank you. > > >