Libraries & Museums A Good Combination or a BIG Headache? Ailesia Franklin, Executive Director Dunkirk Public Library The Glass Museum.

Libraries & Museums

A Good Combination or a BIG Headache?

Ailesia Franklin, Executive Director

Dunkirk Public Library

The Glass Museum

Why a Museum?

• Preserve heritage• Enhance local community• Creative use of space• Public outcry• Because no one else will

Why the Library

• Best source of information• Historical preservation• Experience in organization• How will it benefit the library

How do I get started?• Form a Focus groups to gain public opinion, weigh pros and

cons, get budget estimates then present the results to your library board. Be sure to consider yearly upkeep and supplies needed

• Contact Local Government for budget constraints and check with state codesIC 36-12-3-4

Establishment of libraries, branches, or stations; museumSec. 4. (a) The library board may establish a sufficient number of:(1) libraries;(2) branch libraries; or(3) stations;that are conveniently located to serve the residents of the librarydistrict within the resources available.(b) The library board may provide suitable rooms, structures,facilities, furniture, apparatus, and other articles necessary for thethorough organization and efficient management of the libraries.(c) The library board may provide for the establishment andoperation of a museum to serve the residents of the library district.As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.49.

• Advertise for a public meeting for any public works involved (such as buying a building, etc.)

• Form a committee to set policy and begin fund raising

• Start organizing and begin collection of museum items

• Set operation hours and organize staff and volunteers

• Advertise and inform the public of the opening

What software should I use?• PastPerfect Museum Software

- www.museumsoftware.com• Re:discovery Museum Software

- www.rediscov.com• OpenCollection

- www.opencollection.org• MCMS (Museum Collection Management

Software)

- www.tradec.com• Museolog (FREE from UNESCO)

- www.museolog.unesco.kz

Who, what & how?

• Volunteers, volunteers, volunteers

• Staff strengths• Teen groups• Senior Aide agencies• Community Service• Friends group • Budgeting

Donations & Discretions

• Keep it all?• How to say NO, nicely• When to buy vs. donations• What to do with the rest • Identification and values• Friends anyone? Sales

Advertising & Promotion• Library/Museum website• State websites• Two for the price of one

coupons• AAA Auto Club• Local Tourism Bureau• State Historical Agency• Local Historical Society• Local Cable advertising• Being selective

Grants & Funding

• Budget concerns– State Government Rules– Operating Fund vs. Museum Fund

• Grants– Institute of Museum & Library

Services– State library grants– Foundation grants– Business grants– Private grants

Pros and Cons

Pros – why a museum• Increase library’s

importance to the community

• Attracts tourist • Preserves heritage • What else can we do with

this collection of items• Public interest

Cons – why not?• Cost prohibitive• Not enough space• Not enough interest• Too much of a good thing• Money shortages for the

library

Contact InformationAilesia Franklin

Executive Director

Dunkirk Public Library

127 West Washington Street

Dunkirk, Indiana 47336

Phone & Fax: (765) 768-6872

E-mail: dunkirklibrary@netscape.net

Web: www.dunkirkpubliclibrary.com