ABSTRACT
Please do not turn the page. No matter what professional position you aspire to in a museum, and even if you are only at the entry level, your ability to function effectively is greatly enhanced by a knowledge of museum governance. This is so for two reasons. First, museums are truly team operations. While each professional staff member may have a unique role, all ultimately shape the core educational work of the museum. This interdependence underscores the need for good lines of communication and clear delegations of responsibilities. Neither can come about without an appreciation of governance principles. Second, with an understanding of museum governance you gain a much better perspective of the role of museums, and this perspective, in turn, sets the proper tone for the day-to-day activities within a museum. A knowledge of basic governance principles can be the glue that strengthens all human effort within a museum.
