Civilizing the museum : the collected writings of Elaine Heumann Gurian / Elaine Heumann Gurian.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-213) and index.

The concept of fairness : a debate at the American Association of Museums -- The importance of “and” : a comment on “excellence and equity” -- The molting of children's museums : an observation -- What is the object of this exercise? : a meandering exploration of the many meanings of objects in museums -- Choosing among the options : an opinion about museum definitions -- Timeliness : a discussion for museums / Joy Davis, Elaine Heumann Gurian, and Emlyn Koster -- The museum as a socially responsible institution -- Turning the ocean liner slowly : about the process of change in large institutions -- The opportunity for social service -- A savings bank for the soul : about institutions of memory and congregant spaces -- Function follows form : how mixed-used spaces in museums build community -- Threshold fear : architecture program planning -- Free at last : a fragment about free admission -- Answers to the ten questions I am asked most often : a review of exhibitions and learning -- Noodling around with exhibition opportunities : the potential meanings of exhibition modalities -- Let's empower all those who have a stake in exhibitions : about the uses, meaning, and failings of the team approach -- Reluctant recognition of the superstar : a paean to individual brilliance, and how it operates -- A blurring of the boundaries -- The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum : history or metaphor -- A Jew among the Indians : how working outside of one's own culture works -- Repatriation in context : the important changes brought to museums by indigenous communities -- Singing and dancing at night : a biographic meaning to working in the spiritual arena.