1)  I see huge advantages to having school services.  First, they are a
big money-maker for us and represent about 20% of our annual attendance.
Second, we are providing a great resource for teachers.  Delaware, like
most states, is going through a major curriculum reform in the public
schools.  As a result, teachers are challenged to teach new information
in new ways and must meet higher standards.  We are offering programs
that link with these  standards and thus provide a resource to teachers.
Businesses (ie - potential funders) in our area are also very interested
in education reform right now.  By offering good quality school
services, we have
a much better chance at getting funding for exhibits, events, programs,
etc.

2)  Our marketing department is strictly interested in gettting people
through the door.  I, too, want high attendance, but I also must justify
my numbers with educational services.  In our museum, the Education
Dept. does most of its own marketing.  We market school services, summer
camp, camp-ins and other programs.  The marketing department is
responsible for promoting public events and exhibits.  I'm not saying
this division of work is logical or altogether fair, but this is how we
do it!

3)  I wouldn't say we are non-object-centered, but we clearly pay more
attention to the visitor now than the original staff members did.
Having "things" is what makes us a museum and not just an exhibit space,
so objects will always be at the heart of what we do.  I think the
difference now is that we invite others in to experience our collections
and learn about them; we share our collections and knowledge.  The
museum is no longer a place for people "in the know" to come; it is a
place for people to come so that they CAN know. (if that makes sense...)

Tricia Edwards, Education Manager
Delaware Museum of Natural History
[log in to unmask]
(302)658-9111 x 324
(302)658-2610 fax

-----Original Message-----
From: Tanasak Krabuanrat [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 1999 3:55 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: income earner


Thank you so much for your reply, it was very helpful.
If you don't mind I would like to ask for your opinion also in these
matters:

1. What are the advantage and disadvantage of having school service?

2.To me sometimes the objectives of the marketing department and
education department are very similar, how do you distinguish what they
do and how both department compliments (or conflict?) one another?

3.What are the implications for museum to change from being object
centered to being visitor centered?

Thank you so much

TK