Starting a New Museum
When starting a new museum, remember the Oklahoma Museums Association is the primary provider of professional training and technical information to staff, board members and volunteers of Oklahoma's 500+ museums, historic sites, tribal cultural centers and historical societies. OMA members receive discounted fees on seminars and other training opportunities as well as the ability to apply for scholarships to OMA training. To view a complete list of membership benefits visit the membership benefits section of this site or join now.
What is a museum? Although there are varying answers, in general a museum is an organization committed to public service, education and inclusion grounded in stewardship and scholarship. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency, defines a museum as a public or private nonprofit agency or institution organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes, which, utilizing a professional staff, owns or utilizes tangible objects, cares for them and exhibits them to the public on a regular basis. For more information on the IMLS definition of a museum visit the IMLS Web site. Definitions of museums from other professional organizations can be found on the American Association of Museums Web site. The accepted definition of a museum by the Oklahoma Museums Association is: A museum as recognized by the Oklahoma Museums Association, is defined as an organization which uses a professional staff or the equivalent, whether paid or unpaid, that is primarily engaged in the acquisition, care and exhibition to the public of objects or interactive displays/exhibits owned or used by the institution. Further, a museum is understood to possess a variety of the following characteristics: 1) is organized on a permanent or regular basis for essentially educational and/or aesthetic purposes; 2) owns or uses tangible objects, either animate or inanimate; 3) cares for these objects; and 4) exhibits these objects to the general public on a regular basis at or in a facility which it owns or operates; 5) provides educational and cultural programming.
The American Association for State and Local History has many resources for small museums. Visit the AASLH website.
The American Association of Museums offers voluntary standards and best practices for museums which can be used as a benchmark for their own performance. Standards are generally accepted levels that all museums are expected to achieve. Best practices are commendable actions and philosophies that demonstrate an awareness of standards, solve problems and can be replicated.
Museums should consider a business plan in their early stages of planning. Cecil C. Carter of Murray State College offers one model for museums.
Books and Publications
The following books and publications are recommended for information on starting a new museum or historical society. A select few are available through the OMA lending library which utilizes the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. All books are available for purchase by clicking on the book title.
The Field Guide for Museums
Produced by The State Historical Society of Iowa REAP/Historical Resource Development Program (HRDP) with support from the Iowa Museums Association. 2nd ed., 2004
This publication can be downloaded for free. It is a wonderful resource for all museums, including those in the planning stage and beyond. The publication is divided into four main sections: Museum Organization, Registration & Collection Storage, Exhibit Design and Gallery Environmnets, and Museum Related Websites.
A Primer for Local Historical Societies
by Laurence R. Pizer
Revised and expanded from the first edition by Dorothy Weyer Creigh, this guide is essential reading for groups that rely on volunteer labor and a variety of fundraising activities. Discover practical information on organizing, financing, publicity, projects for limited budgets, oral history, site-marketing, and tours. The basic elements for the establishment of historical libraries, the preservation of buildings, restoration, museums, volunteers, and publishing are also covered.
Code of Ethics for Museums
by American Association of Museums
Adopted in November 1993 and revised in 1999 by the AAM Board of Directors, this code provides a framework for developing an institution's own code of ethics and reflects the current, generally understood standards of the museum field. Issues covered include governance, collections, programs, and promulgation.
Creating and Implementing Your Strategic Plan, 2nd edition
by John M. Bryson and Farnum K. Alston
A step-by-step guide to strategic planning, this second edition is filled with useful tools, including illustrative examples, detailed questionnaires, and easy-to-understand worksheets. It takes users through every step of creating a tailored strategic plan, from concrete guidelines for brainstorming sessions, to developing show cards, to outlining a workshop equipment checklist.
Ideas and Images: Developing Interpretive History Exhibits
edited by Kenneth Ames, Barbara Franco and L. Thomas Frye
Ideas and Images presents eleven case studies, walking you through the process of developing interpretive history exhibits. Learn how to identify and build new audiences, work with consultants and experts, cope with institutional change, present temporary and permanent exhibitions, and experiment with new subjects, design techniques and media.
Introduction to Museum Work
by G. Ellis Burcaw
Long regarded as one the leading and classic texts in museology, Introduction to Museum Work has been thoroughly revised and updated. While citing recent changes in the museum world, this third edition retains its useful philosophical orientation and convenient summary format. All the basics of museology are here. Central issues are discussed and definitions are given for terms museum workers need to know. Each chapter includes practical exercises, making Burcaw's book ideal for the classroom or for novice museum workers.
Museum Administration: An Introduction
by Hugh H. Genoways and Lynne M. Ireland
Wondering what a museum director actually does? About to start your first director's job? Looking for guidance in starting up a museum of working with a museum director? Learn about everything from budgets and strategic planning to human resources and facilities management to collections and programming. Tackle legal documents, legal and ethical issues anc challenges for the modern museum. Case studies and exercises throughout help you review and practice what you are learning and extensive references will be a welcome resource.
Museum Forms Book
Third Edition edited by Kenneth D. Perry
From loan forms to copyright agreements, this compilation of over 400 forms is an important reference book for museum professionals wanting to evaluate and redesign their own record-keeping procedures.
Organizing Your Museum: The Essentials
by Susan Nichols
Practical advice and information for board members, volunteers or staff of new museums. Includes sample bylaws, mission statements, job descriptions, collections management policies and more.
Questioning Assumptions
by Lynn D. Dierking and Wendy Pollack
Research that is done at the very beginning of the planning process is often called "front-end studies." Although they are most often associated with exhibition development, such studies are equally useful in planning programs, marketing campaigns, or entirely new institutions. Based on written reports and interviews with those who implement studies, this book discusses how people learn; their understandings, attitudes, and beliefs; and why they visit museums in the first place.
Registration Methods for the Small Museum
by Daniel B. Reibel
For over twenty years, Registration Methods for the Small Museum has been the definitive guide to registration methodology. The updated third edition responds to varied innovations including the growing importance of computer technology and its uses and implications for the small museum. It presents effective registration techniques for the small museum in a concise, readable manner and provides sample registrar's manuals and forms for immediate use.
Starting Right: A Basic Guide to Museum Planning
by Gerald George and Cindy Sherrell-Leo
Because launching a new museum is a daunting task, you need sound advice. Starting Right is a handbook designed to explain the basics of museum planning in an evening's reading. Free of technical jargon, it defines what a museum is, both philosophically and historically, discusses the pros and cons of establishing a museum, outlines where to get help and proffers advice on all aspects of museums from the choice of a building through collections care, registration, exhibitions, conservation, staffing, financial management and fund raising.
The AAM Guide to Collections Planning
by James B. Gardner and Elizabeth E. Merritt
Every museum should have a clear vision of what it aspires to be, but it may never reach its goal if it can't shape and develop its collections as a whole. This new AAM guide will help your museum create a collections plan, the first step to gaining intellectual control over the collections and ensuring that you have the appropriate staff and resources for collections care.
The New Museum Registration Methods, 4th edition
edited by Rebecca A. Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore
The "bible of museum registrars," updated for the 21st century, with more than 50 all-new chapters covering the complete registration procedure, proper care and storage of objects, collections management, documentation, computerization of records, shipping and handling, insurance, security, ethics and legal issues, and much more.
A portal website to museum resources from the Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies
http://museumstudies.si.edu
Nonprofit Organization Information
Two nonprofit planning publications are available free download. Get Ready, Get Set! and Legal Responsibilities of Your Nonprofit Corporation were produced by Nonprofit Directions for use in the state of California, however the general information given is an excellent resource for new museums in Oklahoma. Get Ready, Get Set! defines the key characteristics of nonprofits, the legal framework of maintaining a nonprofit status, and provides resources for nonprofit startup information. This publication may be downloaded at www.cnmsocal.org/Services/p_grgs.html or in Spanish at www.cnmsocal.org/Services/p_grgs_spanish.html. Legal Responsibilities of Your Nonprofit Corporation: An Informational Brochure and Checklist for Managing Your Nonprofit Corporation addresses the legal responsibilities that nonprofits face and gives suggestions on how a nonprofit can maintain its corporate identity. This publication may be downloaded at www.cnmsocal.org/Services/p_legalresponsibilities.html.
Visit Internal Revenue Service: FAQs about Tax-Exempt Organizations for answers to questions such as:
- how to obtain copies of Form 990, Package 1023, or Package 1024 for filing
- filing requirements for members of group rulings
- which tax-exempt organizations may engage in political activity
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has published two new brochures to help nonprofit organizations understand the laws for tax-exempt groups. Publication 4220, Applying for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Status, helps prospective charities apply for tax exemption. Publication 4221, Compliance Guide for 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organizations, explains record keeping, report filing, and disclosure rules that apply to organizations that have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3). For more information go to the IRS Web site.
- IRS Launches On-Line Workshop for Exempt Organizations - The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new Web-based version of its popular Exempt Organizations Workshop covering tax compliance issues confronted by small and mid-sized tax exempt organizations. The free online workshop - Stay Exempt - Tax Basics for 501(c)(3)s - consists of five interactive modules on tax compliance topics for exempt organizations: Tax-Exempt Status - How can you keep your 501(c)(3) exempt? Unrelated Business Income - Does your organization generate taxable income? Employment Issues - How should you treat your workers for tax purposes? Form 990 - Would you like to file an error-free return? Required Disclosures - To whom do you have to show your records? Users can access this new training program at http://www.stayexempt.org/. Users can complete the modules in any order and repeat them as many times as they like. The online training website does not require registration and its visitors will remain anonymous.
To file for a certificate of incorporation, visit the Oklahoma Secretary of State Web site and click on Oklahoma Corporations to download forms and procedures.
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits offers samples and templatesfrom the publication, "Handbook for Starting a Successful Nonprofit." Sample articles of incorporation and sample bylaws from the book are available as a download.
At the NonProfit Gateway (a "network of links to federal government information and services") users can:
The Oklahoma Arts Council offers an online resource and reference guide called JumpstART that provides a variety of tools for an organization to build a firm foundation.
The Oklahoma Center for Non-Profit's Helpline, 1.800.338.1798, is a good resource for non-profits. It is a free service that gives non-profit leaders a resource for a variety of answers to a variety of questions and problems. An initial response is guaranteed within 24 hours, as the Center draws upon its vast network of consultants and experts to get you the answers you need, when you need them. The service is free to all Oklahoma non-profits.
For an extensive list of other learning opportunities and professional development opportunities for nonprofits, visit the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Web site.
Archival Materials
Preservation of Library & Archival Materials: A Manual
edited by Sherelyn Ogden (Northeast Document Conservation Center)
This collection of 50 technical bulletins provides practical information to help museum staff and volunteers plan and implement sound collections care programs. Sections include planning and prioritizing, the environment, emergency management, storage and handling, reformatting and conservation procedures. Professional illustrations make the "how-to" leaflets easy to understand and use. The complete set of bulletins is available free of charge if you want to download each bulletin separately (total of 412 pages).
The Northeast Document Conservation Center offers an online course called "Preservation 101: An Internet Course on Paper Preservation." This self-directed free course is a good way to provide museum staff and volunteers with a basic understanding of collections preservation.
It is critical that new museums and historical societies purchase proper archival materials for exhibition and storage of artifacts, documents and photographs. The use of poor quality materials including ordinary paper products, cardboard, most glues and adhesive tapes and unfinished wood will cause permanent weakening and stains and actually accelerate deterioration.
Gaylord Brothers offers a large variety of archival supplies. Persons wanting to preserve family heirlooms will also want to visit this site. OMA members receive a discount from Gaylor Brothers.
Emergency Resources for Museums
Many other businesses offer archival supplies. A partial list can be viewed at the AAM Marketplace.
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