EVALUATING COLLECTIONS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN HISTORY MUSEUMS A* A Thesis submitted to the faculty of San Francisco State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for . S3& the Degree Master of Arts In Museum Studies by Alexandra Michelle Schindler San Francisco, California May 2019 Copyright by Alexandra Michelle Schindler 2019 CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL I certify that I have read Evaluating Collections Volunteer Programs in History Museums by Alexandra Michelle Schindler, and that in my opinion this work meets the criteria for approving a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree Master of Arts in Museum Studies at San Francisco State University. Edward Luby, Ph.D. Professor of Museum Studies Christine Fogarty M.A. Adjunct Faculty of Museum Studies EVALUATING COLLECTIONS VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN HISTORY MUSEUMS Alexandra Michelle Schindler San Francisco, California 2019 In this thesis, the management of collections volunteers in history museums is examined. Due to the under resourced nature of many history museums, volunteer support in collections work is critical, as is the management of volunteers. A literature review is first conducted, which outlines the governance and staffing structure of museums, and provides of overview of collections care basics and museum volunteer management best practices. This is followed by four case studies of history museums that have collections volunteer programs. A discussion, followed by a set of conclusions and recommendations, is then presented. It is concluded that for history museums to effectively manage collections volunteers, they must have a dedicated volunteer manager, that museums would benefit from enhancing their screening efforts for collections volunteers, and that museums must have in-depth orientation and training programs. I certify that the Abstract is a correct representation of the content of this thesis. Date ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To begin, I would like to thank the faculty and staff of the Museum Studies program at San Francisco State, for their incredible support, patience, and flexibility throughout my time in the program. I would particularly like to thank my thesis committee, Dr. Edward Luby and Christine Fogarty, for their insight and guidance. I would also like to thank the numerous classmates, colleagues, friends, and family who helped keep me sane throughout this process and encouraged me to keep pushing through. Your support and understanding were invaluable. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Appendices.................................................................................................................. ix Chapter One: Introduction........................................................................................................1 Chapter Two: Museum Governance and Organizational Structure......................................5 The Board of Directors................................................................................ 5 Staffing Structure..........................................................................................................8 The Unique Role of Volunteers................................................................................. 10 Chapter Three: Collections Care Basics................................................................................13 Principles of Basic Care.............................................................................. 13 Why Collections Care is Importani ................................................................ 20 Chapter Four: Museum Volunteer Management........................................................... 23 Who Volunteers, and Why........................................................................................ 23 Volunteer Program Infrastructure............................................................................. 25 Volunteer Recruitment and Training........................................................................29 Volunteer Retention and Recognition.......................................................................32 Standards and Best Practices..................................................................................... 34 Chapter Five: Methodology................................................................................................... 37 Formation of Topic.....................................................................................................37 Literature Review....................................................................... ;..............................37 Case Studies................................................................................................................38 Interview Questions................................................................................................... 41 Chapter Six: San Diego History Center.................................................................................44 History and Governance.............................................................................................44 Public Programs..........................................................................................................45 Collections and Exhibitions......................................................................................46 Volunteers...................................................................................................................47 Collections Volunteers...............................................................................................50 Discussion...................................................................................................................52 Chapter Seven: Hayward Area Historical Society Museum of History and Culture 56 History and Governance.............................................................................................56 Public Programs..........................................................................................................56 Collections and Exhibitions...................................................................................... 58 Volunteers...................................................................................................................59 Collections Volunteers...............................................................................................60 Discussion...................................................................................................................63 Chapter Eight: Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum..................................65 History and Governance.............................................................................................65 Public Programs............................................................................ 66 Collections and Exhibitions...................................................................................... 67 Volunteers...................................................................................................................68 Collections Volunteers...............................................................................................70 Discussion.................................................................................................................. 72 Chapter Nine: Japanese American National Museum..........................................................76 vii 1 History and Governance.............................................................................................76 Public Programs..........................................................................................................77 Collections and Exhibitions...................................................................... 78 Volunteers...................................................................................................................79 Collections Volunteers................................................................................ 82 Discussion...................................................................................................................84 Chapter Ten: Discussion.........................................................................................................88 Theme 1: Staffing Volunteer Programs Appropriately is Important ....................88 Theme 2: Orientation and Training is K ey.............................................................. 90 Theme 3: Evaluation is Necessary though Challenging......................................... 92 Chapter Eleven: Conclusions and Recommendations..........................................................94 Conclusions.................................................................................................................94 Recommendations.......................................................................................................98 Concluding Thoughts............................................................................................... 102 References....................................................................................................................... 104 Appendices.............................................................................................................................110 viii LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix Page 1. Museum Websites Cited.........................................................................................110 2. Other Websites Cited...............................................................................................191 <x 1 CHAPTER