The Museum : a reference guide /

Eleven authoritative essays cover various types of museums (art, natural history, folk, science, history) and aspects of museology (education, collections, biography, exhibitions, professionalism, and the public). Presented in a standard format of historic outline, survey of sources, and bibliography, the essays are interesting and well written, providing criticism of the literature extant on each topic. Three appendixes complete the volume. "Museum Directories" is an annotated list arranged by scope of directory and indexed by country and subject. "Archives and Special Collections" is too selective to be useful, but it gives the novice an idea of what such museum collections may hold. "Museum-related Periodicals" lists only currently published journals, but as such is helpful. Bibliography is both the strong point and the weak point of this publication. Chapter bibliographies are current and full, but the appendixes do not always cite the most current editions and some valuable publications of the last five years are inexplicably omitted entirely. Nevertheless, as the only historiographic reference source available for museum bibliography this book fills a large gap in the literature and should be purchased by all libraries. -S. M. Klos, University of Oregon

This critical bibliography of museum studies comprises an organized collection of essays on the various types of museums--art, natural history, history, science and technology, and folk--and on general aspects--collections, education, exhibitions, etc.--that cut across the media. Most of the essays are cogent, substantial if not comprehensive, and clear. The editor has taken care to see that they follow a similar format of historical essay followed by a full bibliography of items discussed. Students, for whom the book appears to be intended, will not find this handbook a substitute for the original texts. The appendixes--museum directories, museum archives, and museum-related periodicals--are not comprehensive or very useful. For specialist collections in museology.-- Jack Perry Brown, Ryerson & Burnham Libs., Art Inst. of Chicago (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.