Provides a firsthand account of visitor studies done in the early 1970s to evaluate museum exhibits effectiveness in response to erroneous information reported in the "Curator" (volume 36, number 4). (MDH)

Traces the history of 20th-century zoological collections in Cuba, and the present whereabouts of Cuba's zoological collections. The historical accounts are divided into two periods: from 1902 to 1959 and from 1959 to the present. A preliminary survey of the nature, size, and current state of these collections is included. (MDH)

Examines different types of virtual visits to museums and explores different paradigms for providing interactive experiences while visiting virtual museums. Describes one example of an experimental environment, WebTalk, which has been used in the MST (Museum of Science and Technology) in Milan, Italy. (LRW)

Using critical theory, the author presents a hermeneutic approach to artifact interpretation and museum program development. (SK)

Although zoos attract larger audiences, aquariums are experiencing faster growth. This article discusses aquariums, highlighting aquariums on the World Wide Web and presents a bibliography of Web sites for aquariums, zoo and museum sites with aquarium features, informational aquariums, organizations, species and information for amateur aquarists,…

Provides an overview of distance learning programs, including the British Open University; Sunrise Semester; Nova University; University of Maine (Orono); Public Facilities Telecommunications Program; A*DEC; National Technological University; Star Schools; Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Telecommunications; museums; Jones International…

Presents an analysis of data from a research project involving 110 exhibitions across the U.S. in a variety of different museums. Discusses the amount of time visitors spent in exhibitions and the number of stops made at different elements. Reports on a study to see if professional interpreters could accurately imagine how visitors might use an…

In the late 1980s, the Denver Art Museum initiated efforts to make the museum a destination for families. From 1997 to 2001, with a generous grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts, these efforts came to fruition. From the moment they walk through the doors, families' needs are anticipated. For example, they can pick up a welcoming brochure, Free…

This brief article describes how a teacher whose credo is "Explore Your World, Empower Yourself and Those Around You, Excel in Everything You Do," created a museum in his classroom. Why should you start a collection of artifacts? The author says for starters, your students will look forward to coming to your class each day. They will never know…

The aim of this article is to move beyond issues of representation and to address how museum meanings are made on the ground in ongoing encounters between displays and the ideational worlds their audiences bring with them into the museum space. In particular, the author explores how contrasting expectations about exhibits can serve as an…

This report focuses on funding and services provided through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Grants to States program in the most recent full reporting years. IMLS grants to State Library Administrative Agencies (SLAA's) represent the single largest source of federal funding for the nation's libraries and are the only…

This publication presents in-depth profiles of six high-performing partnerships funded by the Partnership for a Nation of Learners (PNL) and short profiles of the remaining grantees. The partnerships illustrate a range of examples of how museums, libraries, public broadcasters, and other vital community organizations can collaborate to address…

Role-playing can be an engaging and creative strategy to use in the college classroom. Using official accounts, personal narratives, and diaries to recreate a particular time period, event, or personality, the instructional strategy alternately referred to as role-playing, dramatic improvisation, or first-person characterization can be an…

Japanese mobile phones are increasingly being used as multimedia players. In response to this, some museums in Japan have introduced mobile phone audiovisual guides. This paper presents a trial run of a cross-institutional mobile phone audiovisual guide tour at Ueno Zoological Gardens and the National Science Museum in Tokyo, Japan.…

What meaning visitors make from their interactions with science center exhibits--and "how" they do so--is an issue of enduring interest in the field of learning in informal contexts. In order to explore what resources schoolchildren bring to bear in making meaning, this study used video clips taken during school trips to prompt…