Industrial Museums and the Educational World

Abstract

Some major provincial museums have well-established education departments which are justly proud of their links with schools and colleges but it is greatly to be regretted that links between museums and educational institutions are not as close as they might be. There are losses to both sides. A small number of schools take full advantage of the range of opportunities available for study visits, assistance with hand-outs and questionnaires and the provision of informed and lively guides at some museums. But these activities depend for their existence on a minority of committed teachers who are prepared to battle for resources in an adverse economic climate and a minority of museum staff who care about communication at all levels besides their other important curatorial and research activities. Such an attitude should not merely be cultivated by the museum education officer but by all staff from Director downwards.