Museum Studies: Books, Journals & Websites

Written by museum professionals for museum professionals, Curator: The Museum Journal provides a forum for exploration and debate of the latest issues, practices, and policies in museum administration, research, exhibition development, visitor studies, conservation, education, collection management and other subjects of current concern to the community.

Promotes and reports on theory, training, and practice in the museum education field. Organized into thematic issues, each issue consists of original, peer-reviewed papers focusing on a key topic of contemporary interest in the development, research, administration or practice of education programs in museums and other informal education institutions.

An independent peer reviewed journal which brings together new writing by academics and museum professionals on the subject of museums. It is both international in scope and at the cutting edge of empirical and theoretical research on museums.

MUSEUM International, published by UNESCO since 1948, fosters exchanges of expertise in the context of interdisciplinary research (anthropology, archaeology, history and art history, sociology, philosophy, museology and economy), best practices for the safeguarding and protection of the cultural heritage, and political decision-making in a cultural environment undergoing deep-seated changes.

A peer-reviewed Open Access journal for the proceedings of the International Committee for University Museums and Collections (UMAC), a Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The journal provides global, inclusive access and distribution and to improve the museums, galleries and collections within universities worldwide by stimulating discussion of relevant issues and concerns.

Wichita, KS: Wichita Eagle and Beacon Pub. Co., c1993. Although somewhat out-of-date, still a useful directory to regional museums in the state.

Washington, DC: American Alliance of Museums. Annual publication; organized geographically with each entry providing the address, hours, staff names, and collection strengths; indexes by collection specializations and staff names.

Abingdon; New York: Routledge, 2012. Basic guide to all aspects of museum work; organised on a modular basis with over 110 units.

Lanham, MD: Altamira Press, c2012. bk.1. Leadership, mission, and governance; bk. 2. Financial resource development and management; bk. 3. Organizational management; bk. 4. Reaching and responding to the audience; bk.5. Interpretation : education, programs, and exhibits; bk. 6. Stewardship : collections and historic preservation.

Washington, DC: The AAM Press, 2012. A definitive text on what makes for compelling and unforgettable museum exhibitions.

Farnham, Surrey; Burlington, VT: Ashgate, c2013. Offers practical tools for museum professionals to evaluate displays, and design new galleries and exhibits.

Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press, 2014. Bedford offers the museum professional a bold new vision built around narrative, imagination, and aesthetics, merging the work of the educator with that of the artist.

Milan, Italy: Mousse Publishing; [London]: Fiorucci Art Trust, c2013. Essays by ten distinguished curators.

Zurich: JRP / Ringier; Dijon: Les Presses du réel, 2008. Interviews conducted by Obrist with prominent curators.

Philadelphia: Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, c2013. Gathers together interviews with 41 curators to talk about their influences, aspirations, and challenges, offering a candid assessment of the field at this moment in time

Lanham: AltaMira Press, c2009. This all-in-one book provides information, strategies, and tips on museum education.

Washington, DC: American Association of Museums, c2006. Written by KU's collections manager at the Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center this book comprehensively addresses how to write such a policy for any type of museum.

Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books, 2012. A comprehensive discussion of the legal questions faced by museums regarding collections.