"Excellent museum programs change adult lives."

That's a quote from the introductory pages of Adult Museum Programs by Bonnie Sachatello-Sawyer, et al., a helpful book that takes a fresh and professional look at educational programs geared for adults in the museum environment.

Adults are a growing audience for educational programs in museums, and appear eager to participate in both traditional learning events such as lectures, tours, and workshops as well as newer presentation models such as museum theatre, travel programs, and pre-recorded audio cell phone tours.

However, these older visitors are savvy education customers who have the time, income, and inclination to shop around for the very best experiences at various educational institutions, including museums, and the field is growing very competitive.

This book offers many useful suggestions to museum educators for making their adult programs better overall. It also cites examples of how museums can tailor their offerings to the needs and expectations of their adult audience.

Through various case studies, visitor survey results, and quotes from actual evaluation forms, the book offers advice gleaned from real adult visitors to museums about what makes -- or does not make -- a program successful for them.

Moreover, the wealth of types of educational programs outlined in the book can serve as a checklist of potential educational programs worthy of investigation for museums small and large alike.

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