Volunteer run museums and Visitor Research

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ann Baillie on June 23, 2009 at 9:38pm

Thanks Gillian. I will ask this question of the museums and galleries doing M&GSQ's Standards Program this year and post answers as they are received. This will serve a dual purpose, as we are thinking that a workshop topic for this group may well be evaluation and visitor research.

Barrie, you might be interested in the workshop I see M&G NSW is running http://mgnsw.org.au/sector_development/build_em_up/

Cheers
Ann

Permalink Reply by Barrie Brennan on June 24, 2009 at 4:02pm

Thanks Ann I had not caught up to the M&G workshop.

I was wondering whether we could put some effort into developing strategy that others may be able to pick up and run with? For instance:For the discussion about visitor information in small museums.

My concern, backed by experience, is that those in smaller museums may not see the point of collecting this data. So let's assume that they may be persuaded to collect this information if they can see some uses for it. Let me offer three uses: in reporting about the museum eg annual reports, in seeking support or sponsors or even volunteers, in applications for funds or just n the normal planning of what to do or show next. A case can be built in these instances.
So what sort of information would be helpful in these situations. The choices are important because trying to gather too much or difficult information initially may be a disincentive for people to participate.
Could we not then set up a schema suggesting some topics, what questions to be asked to gather the information and to what uses the information may be put? Some sort of rationale may take some time to develop (and the ideas of experienced, expert persons would be valued!) but is likely to be more convincing that just a list of topics and questions.
Since I am not the expert with all the experience, I'll perhaps leave it there for some comment by other members: what to do next or do something completely different or nothing because it is an impossible task.

Permalink Reply by Ann Baillie on June 25, 2009 at 7:17pm

Hi again Barrie
I think your thoughts on developing a strategy are very valuable. I have had a conversation with one of the small museums I mentioned in an earlier post-this is part of our thinking about how to design a workshop that helps the small museums and galleries to know who its current and potential audiences are; what their visitors think of the experience they currently offer and how to use this information to plan its displays, activities and events -or as you put it what to do or show next.
These volunteers are interested and want answers to questions like: what data to collect, what to ask, how much to intrude on the visitors time, what are other people doing with visitor surveys, what could we be doing if we had this information.

I'm away next week but thought I'd post this now even though it is just a start of a conversation.

Permalink Reply by Barrie Brennan on August 6, 2009 at 4:38pm

Ann hello. Pleased to read your comments with those of Gillian. I do not like doing things for the sake of it. So I am hoping to organise some of the collections agencies in our LG area to talk about what sort of data we need to feed into, eg, our LG Council to whom we are all 'sort of' responsible. I thought we could have some discussion and try and set a staged movement towards a common data collection on visitors .. depending on what we reckon we need to tell the Council and perhaps Tamworth and share with each other. A key factor will be what expectation we can out on our volunteers to collect the data?? Shall keep you posted..

Permalink Reply by Barrie Brennan on October 2, 2010 at 1:05pm

It is a long time since June 2009. I've not made any progress locally or with other museums. So to seek to advance the discussion, I offer the following. It is based on the recent ABS data plus my own additions/ I would be interested in the advice of the experts but also potential users in smaller museums/galleries. I am prepared to justify my additions, if you like.
I assume it is for my home institution .. what do you think?

Australian Country Music Hall of Fame
Visitor Information Survey

To assist the Hall of Fame in its reporting and planning, please complete these questions.
Answer the questions by placing a cross (X) in the appropriate option for each question.

What was your age at your last birthday?
___ 0 – 14 years ___ 15 – 24 years
___ 25 – 34 years ___ 35 – 44 years
___ 45 – 54 years ___ 55 – 64 years
___ 65 – 74 years ___ 75 years and over

Are you___ male or ___ female?

What is the highest educational level you have completed? (Select one option)

___ Postgraduate Degree ___ Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate
___ Bachelor Degree ___ Advanced Diploma and Diploma
___ Certificate Level ___ Secondary Education
___ Primary Education


What best describes your current employment status? (Select one option)
___ Employed
___ Not employed and actively looking for work in the past 4 weeks
___ Not in the labour force

My home is overseas, please indicate country _________________

My home is in Australia, please indicate postcode ________

How would you rate your overall satisfaction with to-day's visit to our Museum? (Select one option)
___ very satisfied ___ satisfied ___ neither

___ dissatisfied ___ very dissatisfied

Would you be interested in discussing at a later date with one of our Volunteers your visit to the Hall of Fame – either by phone or email?

___ yes ___ no

If yes, please indicate your name and a phone number or email address.
Phone number: Email address:


Thank you for supporting the Hall of Fame by providing your comments!
If you complete this survey away from the Hall of Fame, please return to
Visitor Survey, ACMHOF, PO Box 1842, Tamworth 2340







NB This survey sheet will only be handed out to visitors who see through the museum as individuals or in pairs or family groups, or as part of an organised tour.
The items in the survey are drawn from the ABS data collection document. 2 items have been added: on the visitors' home location (OS or Oz) and the option of making later contact via phone or email.

Permalink Reply by Gillian Savage on October 7, 2010 at 9:36am

Hello Barrie, this looks nice and simple. It is probably do-able. It would be good to field test it with a couple of your local museums.