To all Conch-L:
 
        Kim raises an excellent point, as administrators usually have the
last say so regarding exhibits.  However, I would like to get my proverbial
two cents worth in before this topic fades.
        At the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, planning is
underway to "redesign" the museum for the new millenium (a way overused term
as of late).  One of the biggest "bones" (no pun intended) of contention
amongst the Research & Collections staff is the target patron(s): Will it be
K-12 kids or graduate level students well schooled in phylogenetic
systematics (ie. cladists)?  Staff proposals have been quite polarized in
both directions, however the final product will of course be something that
utilizes both advanced information and "dumbed down" information in the
exhibits.  Not all kids need to have "dumbed down" information of course as
many of us could recite dinosaur latinized names at early ages.  Lately,
however, many PARENTS are in need of the "dumbed down" information as some
cannot or will not become involved in their own kids interests for a variety
of reasons.  Are museums too focused on kids?  Perhaps, but to reach the
public and stir the interest in a museum what a better way to do so!  It may
sound corny but to enliven the interest of a young person is a great way to
further scientific and historical knowledge.  If even one kid becomes a
scientist these days, our mission as a museum has been accomplished.  Yes,
LACM has utilized the hands on approach (videos, button-pushing, etc.) to
convey exhibit information to the public but in a very tastful and effective
manner.  Is this entertainment?  Of course it is and there is nothing at all
wrong with entertaining the museum patrons (they ARE paying customers) but
THIS form of entertainment is educational at the same time (not at all
Disneylandish). It is imperative exhibits be understandable to ALL patrons
and that can be attained without being overly advanced and/or too "dumbed
down."  The point here is that we want patrons to RETURN to the museum
rather than simply make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and become
members, utilize the services offered (child & adult education courses,
travel program, etc.), bring their kids and/or grandkids, again and again.
Therefore the overall impression a museum makes can and will make a
difference to the visiting public.  Kids are our future and we must get them
interested at an early age in the sciences.  Off the proverbial soap box for
now!
 
Aloha,
 
Lindsey
 
 
 
At 10:38 AM 3/2/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Coming in a day late and an exhibit short, I guess, on the museum
>discussion, just to say " Me too!" (Been entertaining the flu as a guest.
>My eyes burn.)
>
>But I do want to add that, during part of the ten years I worked at our
>local museum, we had a director who shall live in infamy in my own mind for
>what he did to us. He had a son. A small son at the outset. We had to
>change all exhibits and gear everything to his son's level. Including
>height on the wall!  And as the boy grew, so did the exhibits, to suit that
>child's height and interests and tastes. And only that child's interests
>and tastes.  Which were mostly mechanical in a museum of history and
>science. You know what it was like!
>
>Once I squawked about the level of all signage. He pointed out that was for
>wheelchair-bound people   (Hah!) and when I inquired about other adult
>people with bad backs or poor eyesight, he just shook his head tolerantly
>at me.
>
>Eight years later, when I had long since left in disgust, and the son was
>about 13, and I had come back to the museum for a look at a new exhibit, he
>happened upon me in the exhibit halls.  He pointed out that he had raised
>all the signage a bit at my suggestion. He said he had just gotten it
>completed! (Yeah, to coincide with his son's adolescence-onset growth
>spurt.)  (And yeah, I asked him what the poor wheelchair-bound folks were
>going to do now. And you guessed it, he shook his head tolerantly at me.)
>He has left the building though.
>
>Kids need to feel unprogrammed in order to wonder. And they need to be able
>to stand upright. I'm all for kids in museums...they are the scene of some
>of my happiest, most discovery laden, and probably most formative hours as
>a kid. And with my own kids.  But with supervision and with just a little
>reverence inspired in them in the face of all these wonders.  (Wanta talk
>about kids in restaurants???)
>
>Lynn Scheu (former teacher, and mother of two former kids I adore!)
>[log in to unmask]
>Louisville, KY, home of the 1999 COA Convention, where the Silent Auctions
>will be a wonder to behold!
>
 
 
**********************************************
Lindsey T. Groves
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Collection Manager Malacology/Invert. Paleo.
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Voice: (213) 763-3376 (Mal) 744-3485 (IP)
Fax: (213) 746-2999/7646
e-Mail: [log in to unmask]
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