Starting Right: A Basic Guide to Museum Planning

Gerald George is a professional writer and editor. He served as director of the American Association for State and Local History from 1978 to 1987.Carol Maryan-George is an experienced museum professional and archivist who has held positions at numerous historic sites and museums, including Old Sturbridge Village and the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of African Art.

For anyone thinking of launching a museum, historical society, or similar organization, Starting Right is the place to begin. The authors are knowledgeable, the scope is comprehensive, the advice is sound, the writing is clear, and the examples and sample documents are models. Starting Right is also a useful tool for museum studies students, a meaningful guide for trustees of existing museums, and a helpful review for museum professionals.

• A Quick and Simple Summary of What’s In This BookPART ONE: The Big QuestionsChapter One: What Makes a Good Museum?Chapter Two: How Can You Finance It?Chapter Three: Where Can You Get Help?PART TWO: Nuts and BoltsChapter Four: Analyze for EssentialsChapter Five: Organize for OperationChapter Six: Plan for ActivitiesChapter Seven: Recruit the Human ResourcesChapter Eight: Now Will It Really Work?PART THREE: AlternativesChapter Nine: And If You Don’t Want to Do All That?Chapter Ten: And If You Are Planning a Historic House Museum?PART FOUR: Some Basic DocumentsA. Basic Organization ChartB. Board Membership Responsibilities AgreementC. Sample Museum BylawsD. Sample Position Description for a DirectorE. Sample Certificate of GiftF. Standard Object Cataloging RecordAcknowledgmentsIndexAbout the Authors