
Foundations of Museum Studies
Evolving Systems of Knowledge
Libraries Unlimited Inc (Publisher)
Published on 11. September 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
176 pages
978-1-61069-282-3 (ISBN)
Description
This broad introduction to museums benefits all educators who teach introductory museum studies, addressing the discipline from a holistic, dynamic, and document-centered perspective.
Museums serve to help us understand the past and navigate our future-as individuals, as societies, and as a global community. A careful and accurate assessment of a museum's purpose is crucial to its ability to serve its users effectively. Foundations of Museum Studies: Evolving Systems of Knowledge offers a holistic introduction to museums and the study of them from the perspective of specialization in museum studies within the context of library and information science (LIS).
The book strikes a balance between theory and practice, examining museums from a systems perspective that considers museums to be document-centered institutions-that objects are documents that generate and convey information, meaning, and inspiration. The authors utilize examples drawn from their experience with institutions in the United States that can be applied to museums across the world. Future museum professionals who read this book will have a broader perspective, an expanded skill set, and the adaptability to span the spectrum of traditional academic disciplines.
Museums serve to help us understand the past and navigate our future-as individuals, as societies, and as a global community. A careful and accurate assessment of a museum's purpose is crucial to its ability to serve its users effectively. Foundations of Museum Studies: Evolving Systems of Knowledge offers a holistic introduction to museums and the study of them from the perspective of specialization in museum studies within the context of library and information science (LIS).
The book strikes a balance between theory and practice, examining museums from a systems perspective that considers museums to be document-centered institutions-that objects are documents that generate and convey information, meaning, and inspiration. The authors utilize examples drawn from their experience with institutions in the United States that can be applied to museums across the world. Future museum professionals who read this book will have a broader perspective, an expanded skill set, and the adaptability to span the spectrum of traditional academic disciplines.
Reviews / Votes
It is well-written, concise, well-structured, and a good introduction to the topic. * Systematic Biology *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
28 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 254 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
344 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-61069-282-3 (9781610692823)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2014
1st Edition
Libraries Unlimited Inc
€51.99
Available for download

E-Book
09/2014
1st Edition
Libraries Unlimited Inc
€51.99
Available for download
Persons
Kiersten F. Latham is assistant professor in the School of Library and Information Science at Kent State University, Kent, OH, where she has developed the museum studies specialization within the MLIS program.
John E. Simmons is an international museum consultant and lecturer who has worked in museums for more than 40 years.
John E. Simmons is an international museum consultant and lecturer who has worked in museums for more than 40 years.
Content
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgments
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1: Defining Museums and Museum Studies
Chapter 2: The Origins of Museums
SECTION II: HOW
Chapter 3: The Museum System
Chapter 4: Dimensions of Museums
SECTION III: WHAT
Chapter 5: Species of Museums--A Museological Bestiary
Chapter 6: The Meaningful Physical Resource
SECTION IV: WHO
Chapter 7: Museum Workers
Chapter 8: Museum Users
SECTION V: WHERE
Chapter 9: Museums around the World
SECTION VI: WHY
Chapter 10: The Future of Museums
Index
Preface
Acknowledgments
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1: Defining Museums and Museum Studies
Chapter 2: The Origins of Museums
SECTION II: HOW
Chapter 3: The Museum System
Chapter 4: Dimensions of Museums
SECTION III: WHAT
Chapter 5: Species of Museums--A Museological Bestiary
Chapter 6: The Meaningful Physical Resource
SECTION IV: WHO
Chapter 7: Museum Workers
Chapter 8: Museum Users
SECTION V: WHERE
Chapter 9: Museums around the World
SECTION VI: WHY
Chapter 10: The Future of Museums
Index