Great Readings

This document consists of great books or articles on Museum Studies. Some are here because there is a course covering the same material; some are just great books that you should read at some point in your career.

Once you have made it through most of the curriculum, knowing whether a book is worth your time will become easier. Or, if you are struggling in one of the courses, perhaps reading a book on the subject will help.

Core Theory and Practice

Name Author(s)
The Participatory Museum (free online) Nina Simon
The Art of Relevance (free online) Nina Simon
Decolonizing Museums: Representing Native America in National and Tribal Museums Amy Lonetree
Museums as Agents of Change Mike Murawski

Visitor Engagement and Education

Name Author(s)
Exhibit Labels: An Interpretive Approach Beverly Serrell
The Anarchist's Guide to Historic House Museums Franklin D. Vagnone and Deborah E. Ryan
Identity and the Museum Visitor Experience John H. Falk

Ethics and Contemporary Challenges

Name Author(s)
Museums in a Troubled World: Renewal, Irrelevance or Collapse? Robert R. Janes
The Future of the Museum: 28 Dialogues András Szántó