Starting & Sustaining a Museum

Starting and Sustaining a Museum or Historical Organization

Bibliography

Chartering Historical Societies, Museums, and Related Agencies in New York State
The University of the State of New York, State Education Department. This primer outlines the procedures for organizing and incorporating a historical society or museum, as well as pursuing a Charter from the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York. Regulations pertaining to Chartered organizations are also explained. Sample constitutions and by-laws are also included. Available without charge from the Office of External Services, New York State Museum, 3096 Cultural Education Center, Albany, New York 12230; 518-473-3131.

Code of Ethics for Museums 2000
Adopted in November 1993 and revised in 1999 by AAM’s Board of Directors, this code provides a framework for developing an institution’s own code of ethics and reflects the current, generally understood standards of the museum field. Issues covered include governance, collections, programs, an promulgation. Available for purchase from the American Association of Museums ($7, order no. 203).

A Handbook for Museum Trustees
by Harold and Susan Skramstad  ISBN 978-0-931201-83-7.  This book will give you the tools you and your board need to handle the challenges facing museums today.  Written to help trustees better understand the "why" and the "how" of trusteeship.  ($55, order no. 1296)

Organizing Your Museum: The Essentials
American Association of Museums Resource Report. Available for purchase from the American Association of Museums ($35, order no. 1816).

A Primer for Local Historical Societies
2nd Edition, by Laurence R. Pizer. ISBN 0-942963-12-0. This guidebook should be the first acquisition for groups that rely on volunteer labor and a variety of fundraising activities. Discover practical information on organization, financing, publicity, oral history, site-marking, tours, publishing, and more. Available for purchase from the American Association of Museums ($20, order no. 700) or AltaMira Press/American Association for State and Local History ($19.95, ISBN 0-942063-12-0).

Starting Right: A Basic Guide to Museum Planning
by Gerald George and Cindy Sherrell-Leo. ISBN 0-910050-78-3. Covers a gamut of concerns associated with launching a new museum. Subjects include choosing a building, collections care, registration, exhibits, conservation, staffing, financial management, fundraising, and more. Available for purchase from the American Association of Museums ($27, order no. 1758).

Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards (revised)
by Richard T. Ingram. ISBN 978-1-58686-054-7. This booklet describes the fundamental responsibilities of boards, focusing primarily on the whole board as an entity. Also included is a helpful list of responsibilities of individual board members. Published by the National Center for Nonprofit Boards and available for purchase from the American Association of Museums ($20, order no. 1796).

Prices listed above were as of Spring/Summer 2007 catalogues and do not include shipping or tax. Contact the appropriate organization for current information and member discounts.  Order order through amazon.com on our homepage.

American Association of Museums
Bookstore
1575 Eye St., NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
202-289-9127
Fax: 202-289-6578
Email: bookstore@aam-us.org
Internet: http://www.aam-us.org

AAM is the largest membership association for museums in the US. Member benefits include a monthly newsletter, Aviso; bimonthly magazine, Museum News; free or discounted admission to museums throughout the country; annual meeting and regional seminars and conferences; access to insurance programs and special industry discounts, and much more.

AltaMira Press
AltaMira Press
1630 North Main Street, #367
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
925-938-7243
fax: 925-933-9720
Email: explore@altamirapress.com
Internet: www.altamirapress.com
Orders Only: 800-462-6420

American Association for State and Local History
1717 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37203-2991
615-320-3203
fax: 615-327-9013
Email: history@aaslh.org
Internet: www.aaslh.org

AASLH is a membership organization that offers a range of programs for the volunteers and staff of history and heritage organizations and historic house museums/historic sites. Members receive History News, a quarterly magazine; the Dispatch, a monthly newsletter; invitations to attend workshops and the annual meeting; and use of a free Video Lending Library.

BoardSource
Suite 900
1828 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036-5104
800-342-5709
Email: ncnb@ncnb.org
Internet: www.boardsource.org

The BoardSource is a membership organization that is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by strengthening their boards of directors. BoardSource publishes a number of excellent books and offers workshops and consulting services.

Grants available to fund Museum Assessment
The Museum Assessment Program can help your museum improve its operations through a three-phase process consisting of self-study, peer review, and implementation. Grants to underwrite most of the costs of an assessment are available from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Grants are non-competitive and are available on a first-come, first serve basis. Contact MAP staff at the American Association of Museums for an application, 202-289-9118 or map@aam-us.org, and access more detailed information on our Web site at www.aam-us.org.

There are four Assessments available:

Institutional Assessment--provides an overview of the management and operations of the entire museum.
Collections Management Assessment--reviews collections stewardship in the context of overall museum operations; primarily focuses on collections planning, policy and procedure
Public Dimension Assessment--reviews the entire operations of the museum and how they serve the museum's audience; looks at the organization from the outside in while focusing on the public's perception of, experience with, and involvement with the museum.
Governance Assessment-- helps the museum's governing authority examine their structure, roles, and responsibilities. Enhances their ability to advance the museum's mission and engage in effective planning. Can
result in:
  *  clearer understanding of the responsibilities of the governing authority
  *  improvements in board recruitment, retention, and engagement
  *  increased ability to obtain and manage resources