The Manual of Museum Management

by Barry Lord, Gail Dexter Lord

The Manual of Museum Management presents a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the principles of museum organization, the ways in which people work together to accomplish museum objectives, and the ways in which museums, large and small, can function most effectively.
This new edition offers updated information on management practices to satisfy the current needs of museum professionals. All new contemporary case studies provided by practitioners from museums and galleries around the world bring the principles to life with first-hand accounts of challenges and achievements in the operation of museums today.

Genres: Museology, School, Museums, Textbooks, Nonfiction

356 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2001

About the author

Barry Lord is internationally known as one of the world's leading museum planners. Based in Toronto but working globally, Barry brings over fifty years of experience in the management and planning of museums, galleries and historic sites to the hundreds of projects he has directed. With a B.A. in Philosophy from McMaster University followed by graduate work at Harvard University's Center for the Study of World Religions, Barry co-founded Lord Cultural Resources with his wife Gail Lord in 1981. Together they edited and wrote the world's first book on the subject, Planning Our Museums (1983) and three editions of The Manual of Museum Planning (1991, 1999 and 2012). Barry also co-authored The Cost of Collecting (1989) and The Manual of Museum Management (1997; 2nd edition, 2009), co-edited two editions of The Manual of Museum Exhibitions (2002 and 2014), and edited the first edition of The Manual of Museum Learning (2007). Barry co-authored Artists, Patrons, and the Public: Why Culture Changes with Gail in 2010. His most recent book, Art and Energy: How Culture Changes was published by the American Alliance of Museums in 2014.

Reviews

[Hotavio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manual of Museum Managment is text relaying the structuring and concerns of museum managment. This really was my first foray into this field and I have to confess a certain enjoyment in learning more about the business aspects of a field and profession that I am so thoroughly infatuated with. While everything covered was not of particular interest to me, some particulars I found utterly engrossing. The authors do a good job of breaking down theories in the field and utilize graphics when and (sometimes when not) necessary. The strongest part of the book was a use of specific case studies when dealing with concepts. Examples of a broad scope are integrated throughout the text as well. The manual is perfect for someone, like me, with a very limited knowledge, yet a healthy curiosity, in the field.

[Adrianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a course I was taking for my grad degree in Museum Studies. This is a wonderful manual on all aspects of museum management. If you are interested in seeing how a museum is managed read this book or if you are going to be working in a museum read it as well. It is a wonderful reference with lots of details and excellent examples.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for an intro Museum Studies class. The text was dry, and seemed too technical for an intro class. I liked the organized lists throughout to easily find information for assignments. Textbook should not be read out of order.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard copy.
I read this as part of my Masters Program for Museum Studies.
A great reference manual for all management functions of running a museum.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dry - good information though. Could have used more examples in the financial chapter though. Charts would have been good