Leadership for the Future: Changing Directorial Roles in American History Museums and Historical Societies (American Association for State and Local History)

The role of museum director has gone through many changes over the years. It is for this reason that Bryant F. Tolles, Jr. has written this insightful volume of thought-provoking essays on this transforming position in American history museums and historical societies. Leadership for the Future takes a multifaceted look at the role of director, examining its function as intellectual leader and educator; initiator of professional standards and training; legal guardian, organizer, and energizer for planning; fund raiser, marketing agent, and cultivator of institutional support; internal communicator; fiscal, facilities, and security manager. Image, social responsibilities, and positions within the public sector are also defined, along with the director's role in collections development, management, and conservation; exhibit and educational interpretation; and research functions. For museum directors or anyone who aspires to that role, this is useful, thoughtful reading.