Museum Libraries Division moderator: Doug Litts
The Museum Libraries Division is pleased to present a Topic Talk with Q&A in the first half-hour of the meeting. All are welcome!
In Our Own Back Yard: Library Instruction for Museum Docents
Presenters:
Linda Seckelson, Principal Reader Services Librarian, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Louis Adrean, Senior Librarian for Research and Public Programs, The Cleveland Museum of Art
Melanie Emerson, Head of Reader Services, The Art Institute of Chicago
As art museums address the realities of diminishing financial resources, museum docents are being relied upon more than ever in an educational capacity. While art museum librarians are not training docents to become art critics or educators, we do face the challenges of acquainting them with basic research strategies so they can be as effective as possible.
In this short-format presentation, three challenges faced by art librarians who have a role in docent training will be addressed. Each of presenters will discuss administrative issues, access to resources, and capabilities of docents in three 5-minute segments, along with an overview of their respective library’s role in docent training. Audience members will then be invited to ask questions and engage in discussion.