Museum Volunteers: Good Practice in the Management of Volunteers

Museum Volunteers is a practical handbook on the use of volunteers as interpreters within museums. Drawing on key examples of outstanding practice from the UK and North America, this book forms a unique resource on volunteerism.This book:* reviews research on the changing priorities of museums* examines a form of volunteering that has provided benefits to all participants in an activity similar to museum interpretation - student tutoring* describes and analyses the strengths of five exceptional volunteer programmes in Canada and the USA* reports the finding of five volunteer programmes set up and managed by the authors in the Science Museum, London* examines the development process of the pilot studies and the consequent establishment of a permanent volunteer programme in the Science Museum, London* discusses the mutual benefits that volunteer programmes can bring to museums and volunteers* offers suggestions on the practical day-to-day management and administration of volunteers.This book is essential reading for anyone involved with the management and administration of a museum, or, is thinking of offering their services to a museum as a volunteer.

About the Author

Sinclair Goodlad is Professor of Sociology of Higher Education at Imperial College and a leading expert on the use of volunteers within museums. Stephanie McIvor has worked as a manager in the Science Museum in London since 1991. In 1995 she launched the Museum's new volunteer programme.