The following selected books are
excellent resources for learning about concepts of museum exhibition and all the
issues that accompany the process. They
are highly specific, engaging and useful both theoretically and practically.
Ambrose, Tim, Paine, Crispin. Museum
Basics. New York: ICOM in conjunction with Routledge, 1993.
SILS AM5.A43 1993 ~ 2nd
floor
A wonderful
staring point for the new museum studies student, this book covers a broad range
of museum issues. It provides a
basic guide to best practice in every aspect of museum work, from organization
to collection management and conservation to marketing and security.
This book could be used as a basic reference tool for museum studies or
as a resource for the wide array of aspects that accompany and compliment
exhibition design.
Belcher, Michael. Exhibitions
in Museums. Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1991.
Davis
AM151.B443 1991 ~ 2nd floor
This book was
written “for all who are concerned with the preparation of exhibitions in
museums…to provide an introduction to the various factors which relate to
exhibitions and to bring together ‘essential knowledge’” (preface).
It is primarily focused on educating the museum studies student.
Content includes museum-public interface, communication, exhibition
policy and planning, exhibition environment and effectiveness with the visitor.
The heavy amount of text is supplemented by photographic examples at the
end, and a few diagrams interspersed throughout the book.
Dean, David. Museum
Exhibition: Theory and Practice. New York: Routledge, 1996.
SILS AM151.D43
1996 ~ 2nd floor
This book
takes a unique approach to museum exhibition, in that it covers the range from
theory to practice, with an attractive format.
Extremely easy on the eyes, some examples of illustrations include visual
arrangement of objects, color wheel, object environment, communication models
and directionality of eye travel. Exhibit
terms are clearly defined, explained and accompanied by illustrations.
This is an excellent, practical source for students of exhibition and
design.
Dierking, Lynn D., Falk, John H. Learning
From Museums: Visitor Experiences and the Making of Meaning. Walnut Creek,
CA: AltaMira Press, 2000.
Davis AM7.F34
2000 ~ 2nd floor
This book
examines museum visitors and the types of experiences they bring with them to
museums, and implications to the museum professionals in effectively conveying
messages. The authors suggest
strategies to optimize visitor learning in personal, sociocultural and physical
contexts. The index has references
to a number of places where exhibition design is discussed, specifically in
terms of cost, creating environments, entrances, facilitating social
interaction, offering choices, studies and how to use exhibits as a teaching
tool.
Durbin, Gail. Developing
Museum Exhibitions for Lifelong Learning. London: The Stationery Office:
GEM, Group for Education in Museums, 1996.
SILS AM
151.D48 1996 ~ 2nd floor
An excellent
source, the chapters deal with learning theories, audiences, disability,
exhibition planning, exhibition case studies, text and evaluation.
The contributors are very in tune with the range of visitors that museum
attract; children, adults, non-English speaking people, people with disabilities
all have special needs that need to be addressed.
Practical ideas, theories and strategies are offered in a clear and
concise manner, using photographs, flow charts, diagrams and lists.
Hooper-Greenhill,
Eilean. The Educational Role of the Museum. London: Routledge, 1999.
SILS
LB1047.E38 1999 ~ 2nd floor
This source is
heavy on theory, but has ample diagrams to supplement the text.
Issues examined are communication theory, learning in museums, developing
effective exhibitions and thinking about museum audiences.
Within the exhibition design chapter are detailed discussions of rate of
flow, levels of interest, circulation patterns and museum text as a mediated
message. This book offers more
detailed theory than the others, and though it lacks much practicality, it has
authoritative discussion and reasoning in theory based ideas.
Hooper-Greenhill,
Eilean. Museum, Media, Message. New York: Routledge, 1995.
Sloane AM7.M8725
1995 ~ 2nd floor
This book,
according to the author, was compiled for people who want to develop a more
critical and informed professional practice in relation to museum and gallery
audiences. It has a good mix of
philosophical discussion and practical examples about museums as media,
communication in action, and evaluating the communication process.
There is considerable time spent on exhibitions, design elements,
interpretation and social spaces.
Hooper-Greenhill,
Eilean. Museums and Their Visitors. London: Routledge, 1994.
Sloane AM7.H67
1994 ~ 2nd floor
Another source
focusing on visitor experiences in the museum, this book is comprehensive and
useful as well. Issues discussed
are communication in theory and practice, who goes to museums, research and
evaluation, welcoming visitors, responding to visitor needs and language and
texts in creating learning environments. This
book is full of illustrations, examples, diagrams, photographs and study
results, which add to the versatility and range of the message.
This is a practical guide to exhibition design strategy.