First posting 9/12/08

After reading the MacDonald reading, it has been interesting to learn about new museology which I never had heard of before which deals with how the museum is viewed among the different groups of people who use the library. The way that the different groups view what the museum contains in its collections determines what it will be like, successful or not. Going back to way that the museum is viewed will help determine what way that it will turn out to be. Going off what we talked about in class in how museum studies is going back to theory rather than just practical knowledge will help determine how well a museum employee will do in making sure that the museum will do well for the public who will go to the museum.
On another view, after reading a bit from Richard Kurin's book, it is interesting to see one person's view of what an anthropologist does and how they are viewed in different cultures as being a broker. This leads to the culture broker trying to make sure that the culture they are presenting is being presented as accurate as possible. This can be done through listening to the people's needs and trying to fulfill them as best as possible.
Finally, it has been interesting to see museum anthropology through Elaine Heumann Gurian's eyes, although she may not be a trained anthropologist, it is good to get a taste of what goes on through the eyes of someone who has been around a lot and seen a lot of different things.