This reader brings together 35 seminal articles that reflect the museum world's ongoing conversation with itself and the public about what it means to be a museum-one that is relevant and responsive to its constituents and always examining and reexamining its operations, policies, collections, and programs. In conjunction with the editor's introductory material and recommended additional readings these articles will help students grasp the essentials of the dialogue and guide them on where to turn for further details and developments.

About the Author
Gail Anderson has been active in the museum field for over twenty-five years. Formerly deputy director of The Mexican Museum, vice president of Museum Management Consultants, Chair of the Department of Museum Studies at John F. Kennedy University, Anderson is now a museum consultant in private practice. Throughout her career, she has been active in professional organizations as a board member of the American Association of Museums (AAM), as a member of the national committee that produced Excellence & Equity: Education and the Public Dimension of Museums, and as a long-time board member and past president of the Western Museums Association Board of Directors. She is the editor and a contributing author to Museum Mission Statements: Building A Distinct Identity, published by AAM. She is working on her next publication for AltaMira, a comprehensive introductory museum studies text to accompany Reinventing the Museum.

Reviews
Because its conceptual framework and essays so faithfully represent the reigning orthodoxy in American museums, Reinventing the Museum is the perfect survey text for introductory courses and undergraduate offerings in history, art history, anthropology, and museum studies. * Museum News *
Let's cheer, then, the arrival of Gail Anderson's Reinventing the Museum which delves back almost a century to cull a series of erudite and enlightening articles. . . . I found so much to admire and enjoy in this book. . . . The museum can embrace differences, find commonalities, allow freedom, provide structure. At risk of sounding trite, I would say firmly. . . this book tells you how! * Museline *
This is an enjoyable and informative selection of essays, and as an historical perspective on North American museology it has much to commend it. . . Reinventing the Museum is a very useful compendium of papers for anyone seeking an insight into the ways in which museums in North America have changed values, attitudes and practices. * Journal Of The Society Of Archivists *
Reinventing the Museum is an excellent collection of 34 provocative articles divided into five areas of concern among museums. . . . I heartily recommend this volume to all museums, historical societies, and collegiate history programs because of the 'big picture' issues. * The Annals Of Iowa *
Gail Anderson has assembled a valuable anthology by reminding us that not only John Cotton Dana, but also such important figures as Alma Wittlin and Theodore Low (among others) have contributed significantly in the past century to the discussion of the purposes of the museum. -- George E. Hein, Lesley University * Visitor Studies Today *
This book is an excellent starting point for institutions, and those interested in the future of those institutions, to address the problems posed by the high expectations fo the communities they serve. * Muse *



Book Information
ISBN 9780759101708
Author Gail Anderson
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint AltaMira Press,U.S.
Publisher AltaMira Press,U.S.
Weight(grams) 721g
Dimensions(mm) 259mm * 182mm * 22mm