Signing Off...

Well, this will probably be my last ACM blog. I got home this afternoon after a productive and interesting few days. Here are some of my overall thoughts of the conference.

This conference was extremely interesting - unlike any other conference because all the information was new to me. Also, I went into this conference not knowing anyone, but when I got there, I realized that I did know a couple people. I ran into the director of the La Habra children's museum, the director of the Charlotte children's museum, and the library manager of ImaginOn! I also met someone from the Rancho Mirage children's museum (she is also on the Riverside County something library board), and a museum exhibit designer from Lake Arrowhead. In addition, I also met the folks from the Magic House in St. Louis. They built that fairy tales exhibit that we wanted to get. They told me it would be perfect for us!

Another thing that was interesting about the conference - these people don't stop. Literally, they start at 7am and go until 6pm. What's interesting is that they have some sessions that have no topic. Instead, you go there, break into small groups depending on what you want to discuss, and then talk about your issues. I think that's a good idea and very inkeeping with what children's museums are all about. They are not structured places where you have to color in the lines. Instead, you have a blank page and you design/do whatever you want. That's what a children's museum is about (unstructured) and there were definitely elements of that during the conference (in a good way). Having said that, these people are serious - they don't even break for lunch. You can eat lunch, but there are programs going on through lunch. You can brown bag it or order a lunch ahead of time. Very interesting. Not the 10-5 with a 2 hour lunch break like ALA or CLA!

"Guest Experience" - I love this term. I think we need to have this instead of "reference librarian" or whatever. In children's museums, you have someone that is in charge of "guest experience" - I think we need to incorporate this into our organization. Actually, Nettie, if you are reading this, this made me think of CSD as well. I just think this term addresses the customer needs from their point of view versus the way we do it (more from our point of view).

We have a GREAT project - *everybody* I met told me so. And, I don't think it was lip service. Everywhere I went, I got "you're the librarian, aren't you?" People just seemed to know who I was for some reason (probably from the emerging museums preconference). Everyone I talked to about our concept just seemed to think that was so exciting (even more so when I mentioned the playhouse). This is how I see our project. Look at the two circles. Imagine libraries in one and children's museums in the other. We are going to be right in that middle part, which, based on the conference, is a good place to be. I think librarians should attend the children's museum conference (and can't understand why they don't). There is so much cross over between what we do. I think ultimately, we (libraries and children's museums) have the same goals - spark the imagination, lifelong learning, literacy, etc. we just arrive at that in different ways. This project will morph the two experiences together and will represent the BIG books on the building - Imagination, Enchantment, Wonder, Discovery, Adventure, Knowledge, Celebration, Inspiration, Wisdom, Creativity, and Dreams...

So, that is it from the children's museum conference. Thanks Debi and RK for supporting my visit. It was a fantastic experience. I thought this was a good idea before the museum conference, now I *know* it is. I am totally energized by this and know we have the right people on the bus to pull it off!

Over and out...

Michelle

Exhibits

Well, today was the day - visiting the exhibits. I also went to a program on facility rentals, but pretty much skipped everything else for the [one-day-only] exhibits. Overall, I spent about 4-5 hours wandering through, and considering there were only about 75-100 exhibits, that was a lot of time.

I won't go through every company, but will give some of my overall findings...

Exhibit Designers
This is where I spent most of my time, just seeing projects they have worked on, asking about timeframes, cost, fabrication, green elements, etc. For the most part, exhibit designers will do anything you want. And, you can either get one exhibit from them or the whole space. And by the way, the lingo is this - "gallery" = a larger space filled with [perhaps] multiple "exhibits" of similar topic (so if we had a performance space, that would be the gallery, but the stage, puppet theatre, dress up area would be individual exhibits). You start by giving them the space you have to work with, the basic vision you have for the space, and then they put together a design charette to pull out ideas and get a real start. We did this with VG, so I felt like I at least understood the process. Once the design charrette is done, they go back to their office, come up with some ideas, you go back and forth, and hopefully come up with exactly what you want.

I described our project as 10,000 square feet (now some of that will be unassigned space of course - for space between exhibits), geared to 0-7 (which apparently could reduce the cost because it will reduce the technical requirements of stuff for older kids), but not sure of the overall "theme." I told them I was thinking about a little of everything - grocery store, performance space, backyard, vet, etc. OR going strictly "the arts" with a stage, puppet theatre, literary something (I want to buy that fairytale exhibit from the Magic House that we looked at earlier), music room, art studio, something multicultural, etc. Anyway, they loved our project because of the library component. Apparently Indianapolis Children's Museum built a branch of the local public library in there museum, but it't not done very well.

Factoids: The design and fabrication can take anywhere from 6 week (yeah, you pay for that privilege) to 18 months. Exhibits can cost approximately $200-$300 per square foot for something nice. One person quoted me about $150 per square foot, but I wasn't overly impressed with what they have done. Someone else quoted me $400-$800 per square foot whcih was CRAZY! I mentioned it to someone elss and they said that you could build Disneyland for that! Some companties fabricate their own stuff and some pay others to do it. General warantee is one year for most things but some offer as much as 20 years for the actual construction of it. Some companies do more in the way of using green products but no one was completely green. The consensus was, if you want it, they will do it (but green will cost some serious $$).

Here are some of the exhibit designers to which I spoke:
Kidzibits - I liked these people. It's a small company that seems to really get invested in the project, but some of their work looked pretty nice.

Vee - This group was interesting because they are not only in the exhibit business, they also create sets for theatre organizations.

Matthew Martin Design Works - This is an interesting story. When I got to this guys booth, he said "you're the librarian, I've been wanting to meet you..." He was in the emerging museums preconference I attended. Anyway, he lives in Lake Arrowhead! He has a business that creates exhibits and he was OVER THE MOON about our project and "REALLY REALLY" wants it. Yeah, sounds good, right - local guy, really interested, quality product - well, here's the catch - he is the one who came in at $400-800 per square foot - double what others quoted.

Kraemer Design + Production - This was one of my favorites for some reason. I liked the people I spoke with as well as the product. They seem big enough to create amazing things, realistic enough to give decent $$ and time predictions. This firm is also doing "Pretend City" which will open in Orange County in year or so.

Jack Rouse Associates - I liked this one too. This company pretty much handles everything. The person I spoke to is sending me a cost list for what they have done in the past, as well as a list of companies that do feasability studies.

In addition to these, I also visited a couple of companies that specialize in travelling exhibits. Some of these are museums that build their own. These rotating exhibits can be nice because they keep things fresh, but high-end exhibits can run about $50,000 for 4 months.

Also in the exhibits I visited some vendors that deal with manipulatives. Some of them looked very cool (including the Moon Sand). Just look at some of these pictures for more info.


So, that's about it for the exhibits. Well there is more, but I will tell you in person.

Michelle

I want to reach Level 5!

Jim Collins - Good to Great

"Greatness is not a function of circumstance, it’s a function of conscious choice and discipline.”

Jim Collins really focused on how to be great – outlining some of the traits of a great manager, steps to take to make your organization great, and how to be disciplined…

How organizations (bus analogy) become great…
1. The question we often ask first, and *shouldn’t*, is “where are we going to drive the bus?” The correct first question should be “what people should be on the bus?” and specifically “what people should be in the front row seats?” We also should know the answer to the following:

How many seats are on your bus?

How many seats are filled with the right people?

What are you going to do with those seats that are *not* filled with the right people?

Six traits of people you want on your bus…

The right person fits with your core values coming in the door (this isn’t easily taught)

The right person does not need to be tightly managed

The right person realizes they do not have a job, they have responsibilities. (Ask your staff to answer this – “I am the person ultimately responsible for a. ____ b. ____ and c. ____”)

The right person will do what they say they will do

The right person practices window and mirror maturity. They DO NOT point to others when things go wrong and to themselves when things go well. Instead, when things go wrong, they take responsibility and when things go right, they recognize their entire staff for a team effort.

They have passion for your cause

When Jim Collins evaluated many businesses, the good and the great companies all had *good* leadership in place (see levels 1-4). The difference is, the great companies had Level 5 Leadership (the highest form of leadership).

Level 5 Executive – Builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. This is the leader who will do whatever it takes for the cause, and not for themselves.

Level 4 Effective Leader – Catalyzes commitment to and vigorous pursuit of a clear and compelling vision, stimulating higher performance standards.

Level 3 Competent Manager – Organizes people and resources toward the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives.

Level 2 Contributing Team Member – Contributes individual capabilities to the achievement of group objectives, and works effectively with others in a group setting.

Level 1 Highly Capable Individual – Makes productive contributions through talent, knowledge, skills, and good work habits.

2. Jim Collins also discussed the Hedgehog Concept for leaders and their organization. Imagine three circles interlocking in a triangular shape (making a common triangle in the middle). One circle represents passion for what you do, another represents being good at what you do (and wanting to be the best), and the third represents the economic denominator (can you make a living). Those that fall into all three and have that middle triangle shaded makes leaders great.

3. Ying and Yang diagram – (you should never divert from your core values, but you should be willing to make changes and be flexible in how you get there)
- Black – Preserve the core, preserve your core values and your core purpose. This is the standard that never changes, on which you base all your decisions.
- White – Stimulate Progress, change according to cultural and operating practices, change goals and strategies, be flexible, be willing to evolve and meet new needs.

4. One other thing – Jim Collins mentioned that 90% of good to great CEOs came from within and only 10% came from the outside (ergo, grow your own). Having said that, Collins also said that you shouldn’t put people in a leadership position or key seats until you have seen empirical value that they can actually do it.

Culture of Discipline – only great companies have a true culture of discipline.
“Disciplined people take disciplined thought and turn it into disciplined action.”

Elements of Discipline –
1. Enviable standards/performance, high expectations
2. SMAC – Systematic, Methodic, and Consistent
3. Disciplined action is not about having a to-do list, it about having a stop-do list. Those that are disciplined have a stop doing list for themselves, but also for their organization. In every strategic plan where organizations develop what they will start doing (or doing better), they also should have a list of what they will stop doing.

Well, not as eloquent or dynamic as Jim Collins, but that’s the 411 on the morning session. Loved it! I was so motivated I walked to Barnes and Noble this evening to buy this book Good to Great (yes, to read it). They didn’t have it (darn…) but I did pick up what appears to be a sort of cliffs notes version that focuses on the social sector (schools, churches, educational facilities), as opposed to big business. It’s really good!

He tasked all attendees to do the following once we left the session:
1. create a stop-doing list
2. think about who they want on their bus (I thought about it and heck, as long as there is a seat for me on Debi and Robert’s bus, I’m all good!)

So, what would be on your stop-doing list? (besides making to-do lists that you never finish)

Michelle

Misc. Thursday Update

Jim Collins and the IMLS/NEA people deserved their own blog post, but here's the rest of my day (totally condensed).

CULTIVATING A PLAYFUL AND EFFECTIVE FLOOR STAFF
This program was actually pretty interesting in that they talked about the best way to get excellent museum staff. One speaker (from the Long Island Children's Museum) does group interviews. She brings in all her applicants into one room at the same time and then has them participate in a bunch of group activities. It shows her who is a natural leader, how much energy they have, how they interact in a group, etc. She also has one of her employees act as a mole in the room - pretending to be a candidate to get their perspective of the candidates. Other types of questions asked during the q and a portion of the interview - "what was your favorite childhood book, toy, song?" They give situational questions that are both positive and negative. And, mostly, they have to do some sort of audition (for a storytime or exhibit instruction or activity).

They also discussed staff training (both for existing staff and new staff). Whenever they introduce a new exhibit, they have a content training which will include things like: testing processes and activities, scavenger hunt, seek and find, skits and songs that fit the exhibit, and generally make staff and volunteers experts on the exhibit.

It was all quite interesting, although not terribly different than what we do.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS/POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
This was a really an idea swap - each person wrote down a potential problem in museums and then a solution that's worked for them. They compiled all of them on site and will email us the results. Everyone got up one by one and made a sort of testimonial. I mentioned inattentive teachers/parents during tours which is a big thing for them too and a way to solve the problem by getting the teachers/parents involved at the beginning of the tour - making them your helper. I also mentioned a potential problem as lack of $$ and they all agreed in a loud roar! I mentioned that we fundraise and gave the telethon as an example of fundraising and PR. I swear, I could have just a telethon program right then and there because people were interested - even asking for my card afterwards! Little do they know...

One cute thing that someone mentioned was nametag and having their picture on them. One museum puts a staff childhood picture on the ID instead of their current picture. They said it's really in keeping with a children's museum, but also helps diffuse a situation when an angry customer asks "what's your name?" He said he just shows his ID and it just diffuses the issue!

What do you think about that?

Tomorrow is another big day - the EXHIBITS! Woohoo - it's what I have been waiting for.

Michelle

IMLS & NEA - Just had to share this...

Hi everyone!

I just got out of a program on Funding for Museums by the NEA and IMLS. Whereas the amount of resources are not exactly jumping out at us (especially for construction), the program was still rewarding in many ways.
1. The panel discussed different grant opportunities available - mostly for programming (which does include staff), but also for design of museums and exhibits (which I thought was interesting). There are some programs like Museums for America that might work for us. Although usually they only give grants to museums that have been around for a couple years, when I spoke to Marsha Semmel from the IMLS afterwards, she said to apply anyway - if you have a unique and exciting project that they think will qualify - go for it. The NEA dude said the same thing.

2. The NEA speaker talked about some grant funds they have available, including the Big Read. He was encouraging all the museums to get involved with the Big Read - perhaps partner with their local library. One woman asked how they could participate since the books are geared to adults - so I raised my hand and mentioned our Big Read and the stuff we did for kids that anyone could do - choose books that deal with the issues in the book, activities, crafts, etc. The speaker from the NEA was so pleased with that comment. Anyway, after the program, I spoke with Marsha from IMLS. She told me how she liked my comment about the Big Read so I told her that we wished they would do a "Little Read" too. She thought that was a fantastic idea and took my business card and wrote the idea down. So - let's see if there is a Little Read in the future.

3. And this is the best part... Like I said, after the program, I went to talk to Marsha from IMLS and asked her how she saw our project fitting into the IMLS grant scheme. Anyway, when I introduced myself from Rancho Cucamonga, she said "I've heard about your new library..." I was SHOCKED! Anyway, apparently she has heard about us and what we do - from Wayne from Cerritos! I guess he was talking to her one day and explained how libraries like his and ours were trying something more along the lines of an experience. Anyway, she knew all about it and just seemed pleased someone from a library was there.

That's it for now. Gotta head to the next program. I had a quick break since one of my programs was switched.

Tonight I'll tell you all about Jim Collins - the opening speaker and author of the book Good to Great. WOW! He was probably the best speaker I have ever heard (even better than Eugenie Prime - who I heard at Library Camp at Stanford). He was fantastic. I was so disappointed when he finished.

Michelle

Wednesday - A LOOOONNNNGGGG DAY!

I’m pooped and rather overloaded right now. I had a preconference on Emerging Museums which was really good (even drew some attendees from India, Egypt, and Australia), but went from 8am to 6pm (even had a working lunch). I had to take walk through Denver afterwards just to decompress a little (of course, when I ran into about 100 cross-dressers I wasn't sure if I was just seeing things - I wasn't, it was a tour of women in mens clothing and men in womens clothing)! And, BTW - everyone was really impressed by our project - they thought a library/museum was a great idea! OK – so this might be all over the place, but here is the lowdown (broken up by topics versus speakers)…

Ideas

Several emerging museums, who still don’t have buildings, start “museums without walls.” They are mobile museums essentially, where they bring the exhibit to you (classrooms, birthdays, etc.) This is interesting because while they fundraise and raise awareness (and build) their museums they are out in the community with exhibits.

Use college classes for free work – some museums have made arrangements with architecture classes to design their museums (the entire class works on it), some work with a class to market their museums, some work with fundraising classes to raise money… All of these ideas sound interesting because they are structured, have a defined start and finish and gain buy in from the local schools.

Grant writing – several museums are bringing on grant writers without a salary. Instead, they get a cut of whatever grants they bring in.

Large donations – Miami children’s museum seemed to negotiate large one time donations (like a million+) and then also negotiate with those same donors to donate another 10% annually for the following 5 years. I thought it would be interesting if we got a major naming donor to then encourage them to continually donate.


Programming

Field trips – must meet state educational standards or teachers won’t want to come just to “play.” Many museums do facilitated field trips which include a tour of the museum and then a 30-minute educational component with one of the exhibits.

“Germs” – put glitter on one child’s hand, then have him shake hands with the next child and then that child shake with the next one, and so on. That will show them how easily germs travel from one to the other and the importance of washing hands.

Family Parade – have families create small floats for a local parade. They showed a couple pictures of cute little floats that families created.


Going Green

More and more libraries are going green with construction, paint, materials, lighting, exhibit materials, carpet, etc. Some of the best examples are at www.greenexhibits.org.

Try and start a partnership with a large corporation that includes “green” as part of their mission

Use environmentally friendly cleaning products. (BTW – most libraries clean exhibits every day and then do a “deep” cleaning once a week.)


Potential Partners

School districts

Social service agencies (one museum actually hosts a regular “adoption day” for kids and parents to meet, interact in a safe, fun environment. Then, when the adoption goes through, the family gets a membership to the museum.)

Local cable channel (one museum is doing a cooking class in one of their spaces and the local cable channel films it for the local channel).

Developers

Local cities


Misc.

Logistics to make children’s museums successful – good location, lots of parking, nearby open space, nearby restaurants, bus turnarounds and parking – hmmm… I think we have those things.

Feasibility studies – most museums are still in the fundraising stages. They don’t have buildings yet, so they are starting enormous capital campaigns. A lot of what was discussed was exactly what the PAL Campaign did, plus the importance of having a Foundation Board. It sounded like we have a lot of the infrastructure in place, from the building shell to the Foundation Boards.

Staffing – staffing in these museums seems at a minimum – maybe one or two full time people (perhaps an executive director for $$ and then a programming/exhibits person) and a whole bunch of part time staff. I spoke to someone from Reno who is starting a 55,000 sq ft museum in the next year and will open with maybe 11 FTE (only two of those full time – no benefits). The smaller museums (5,000-20,000 sq ft) only have one full time person, a few part timers and then a ton of volunteers. Whereas we tend of make sure everything is staffed, in children’s museums, the idea is for the parent to interact with the child.

Several speakers mentioned that children's museums are going into downtown areas because they are a great way to revitalize an area! That's good news - not that VG needs to be revitalized.

That's about it (kind of).


TOMORROW - (might be another long day)

Opening Session - Jim Collins, author of Good to Great

Getting the Bulding You Want

Federal Funding Opportunities - representatives from the IMLS and NEA will be talking about federal funds!

Current Play Research (the connection between play and the development of social, emotional, cognitive, and intellectual skills)

Painless Solutions to Painful Problems - the Idea Swap

What is a Children's Museum? Emerging models in the field (Exhibits and Environments) - there will be a speaker from Imaginon!


Michelle

Healthy Museums

The last program on Saturday is called "Healthy Museums" which I am going to try and get into. What do you think we could do on the second floor (with the children's museum concept) that would meet the city's new "Healthy Rancho" commitment and/or would meet the "Green Rancho" commitment? (design elements, construction, exhibits - what are your ideas?)

Michelle

In Denver...

I'm here in Denver. Forget my previous post about staying at the Adam's Mark Hotel - it's now a Sheraton (as of yesterday).

My trip here was long - my flight was delayed out of Ontario by two hours - UGH! When I finally got on the plane, some chunky dude was in my seat. I looked at him and he looked at me (in a very snarky way) and said "I don't think so..." I said (after double-checking my boarding pass) "I think you're in my seat" to which he responded "NO, this is MY seat." Then he pulled out his boarding pass and realized HE WAS WRONG! What an idiot! I simply rolled my eyes at him - which he didn't appreciate.

Anyway, I made it to the hotel by about 6pm, but couldn't pick up my conference stuff because they weren't set up! Anyway, tomorrow - 7am - she promised.

Tonight Linda, Joe, and Jule (their daughter) picked me up and took me to a little French restaurant in the city. It was pretty good, but most important was getting to spend some time with Linda and Joe of course.

So now, I am back at the hotel - it's 9:08 and because this is Central Time, I have already missed Idol and Hell's Kitchen! What kind of place is this?

Tomorrow is the Emerging Museums Preconference
This full-day conference will focus on the essentials in establishing a strong children's museum infrastructure. Participants will hear from museum professionals, colleagues, consultants and ACM staff about what it takes to make it to opening day and beyond. From the development of civic partnerships, the nuts and bolts of spearheading the capital campaign to planning exhibits, participants at all stages of planning will hear first-hand experiences and learn about available resources that can help anticipate and manage the challenges of opening a new children's museum. A reception follows the conference, providing attendees the opportunity to enjoy light hors d'oeuvres, relax, connect and network.

Michelle

What is a Children's Museum?

Children's museums are fun, interactive gathering places where families can learn and play with other families. Children's museums are filled with exhibits intended for kids and families - exhibits that will spark the imagination, are interactive, involve a sense of education and play, stimulate a love of lifelong learning, and simply allow children to discover the world around them. (sounds a lot like libraries, eh?)

If you have been to a children's museum, tell me what you thought of it and what you liked best about your experience?

Michelle

On My Way...

The adventure begins on Tuesday when I fly to Denver. The actual conference doesn't begin until Thursday, but I enrolled in an all-day preconference workshop on Wednesday - "Emerging Museums." According to the description, it should cover the major elements of starting a new museum, including planning, fundraising, exhibits, etc. For more information about the Association of Children's Museums and the conference, check here.

It's funny because there has been a thread on the children's museum listserv about how boring presenters at conferences are (always relying on Powerpoints). It appears that some of the presenters are also reading the listserv and are running scared! One even posted asking for some quick suggestions before her presentation on emerging museums!

And for those of you who are interested in hotel info - this is where the conference is and where I will be staying - http://www.adamsmark.com/denver/index.asp. Looks like there is a "Supreme Court Night Club" where I will no doubt be partying all night with those children's museum folks...

Wish me luck!

Michelle