Attendant's View Blog and Cartoons

Hours of Operation

13/11/2020

museum opening hours

I actually had to be part of a situation like this.

The venue had failed to think through the full ramifications of opening times and staff hours, but it was eventually worked out, although had an understandable knock on effect on new staff who had been planning their travel arrangements around the orignally advertised job times. It's a bit rubbish too, having to tell someone who has just finished their visit that they can't buy anything, because you have already closed the till up.

Topical AND Cheap

19/9/2019

Huge respect to the various arts and crafts events organisers making the most of making things without much to start off with.

Hired help

15/5/2019

When looking for advice and support online about recording a collection, and creating accompanying documentation, from almost scratch:

Most Sources: Hire a trained Archivist.
Me: Do you think I'd be searching the internet if that was an option?

He's New Here

11/4/2019

Getting inventive, and celebrating success

31/10/2018

Display label is missing from display.

Can't insert head into the cabinet at the right angle to see if it's dropped behind the display plinth.

Use phone to take a photo down the back of the plinth, to find the label is there.

Dob blue tack onto name badge, and use phone camera feed to see where to aim it behind the plinth.

Successfully stick name badge to display label and pull both out.

Replace display label in correct location.

Feel proud of ingenuity.

Realise no-one is around to recognise achievement.

Go and treat self to posh coffee to celebrate.

In a safe place

10/1/2018

Remember - if you find a set of keys, it's a good idea to check if someone is around and using them before you secure them.

or

Staff who get locked in cupboards soon remember to keep their keys secure.

Ask A Curator - September 13th 2017

12/9/2017

Tomorrow (September 13th) is Ask A Curator Day, and it’s a chance for people inside and outside of collections, museums, galleries and heritage venues to connect and chat - with an impressive 1519 museums taking part!

It can be a good way to educate people on what curators actually do, open minds about what your collection holds and how it can be relevant. It can be a fun way to share and explore. Sometimes, the questions asked can lead to rethinking what visitors are interested in and would like to know more about.

You’ll find #AskACurator being used on Instagram and twitter, so have a look, and see what is being nattered about.

If you want to see who is taking part, or be more involved (last minute!) see the details and sign your venue up here: http://www.mardixon.com/wordpress/askacurator-who-to-ask-sept-14-2016/

YOU HEARD NOTHING!

31/8/2017

The second the manager walked out, the shelf dropped.

It wasn't the heavy object which caused the glass shelf to drop, rather the final, delicate, finishing touch being placed atop it.

Good news is that although the display content and shelf both dropped, both remained wholly intact, providing a sudden but valuable lesson in always double checking how secure your adjustable shelves are before you start work!

It’s not impossible, but we’re not gods…

28/6/2017

Us a few years ago: Woo hoo! We have over a 1000 people on our newsletter list

Boss a few years ago: Great! Now, how do we get that to over 10,000? By the end of the year?

Us: Uh, that’s a big ask actually. A list like this is best when you have engaged users, rather than a lot of people who sign up for a competition entry and then unsubscribe. We can make a plan to get 10,000 on the email list, but it may not happen in a year, and may not get the engagement this list is useful for.

Boss: Make that plan and don’t do yourselves down! You can do it!

Versatile Staff

27/4/2017

Simple solutions: When you have a display plinth too large to balance on the trolley, use a counterweight! What should you use as a counterweight? Whatever is to hand and safe really....