ABSTRACT
Self-guided devices are a cost-effective way to engage visitor attention. While additional research can identify the important variables for cost-effective, self-guided devices, there is no doubt that prompting engaged attention with self-guided devices is an important tool for museums to increase deeply engaged attention to exhibits and programs. Museums use self-guides for the entire museum that are either handed to visitors as they enter or are available for visitors to pick up on their own. Korn assessed the effects of two types of self-guiding brochures at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Self-guided devices are apparently popular in the national parks. The National Park Service reported that 62 percent of park users indicated they used the park brochure and 33 percent used the self-guided tour. Loomis evaluated a self-guide for the Maya traveling exhibition at the Denver Art Museum. LeClaire and Grabski studied the use of gallery guides in die Tete-a-Tete exhibition at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle.
