1.  Plan to Plan

The world of small, specialized libraries and museum collections is full of horror stories:

• materials irretrievably lost, misplaced, ruined, destroyed, or stolen because of improper storage and security measures
• materials difficult to classify or retrieve because of a prematurely designed, unprofessional cataloguing system
• piles of useless materials donated by well-meaning but unenlightened donors; cannot be discarded because of obligation (PR) and legal stipulations concerning custody of gifts
• piles of useless materials purchased randomly or impulsively without a carefully worked-out acquisition and budget plan targeted to the particular institution's goals
• etc., etc.

Before you get burned with any or all of the above, be absolutely clear on (i.e., plan for):

• The purpose(s) of your library/museum facility
• which materials will you seek, accept, reject (define "folk" for yourselves)
• folk/ethnic dance (instructions, theory books)
• folk/ethnic music (written, recorded)
• folk/ethnic costume (books, costume pieces)
• folklore (oral literature)
• national histories, geographies, descriptions


• what types of materials
• books
• videotapes
• records, tapes
• periodicals, magazines
• costumes for museum
• costumes for loan or rent
• musical instruments for museum
• musical instruments for loan or rent


• level of interest you wish to serve
• research scholars
• high-school students writing papers
• group leaders looking for material
• popular, general-public information source


• lending, or in-house use only
• if lending, insurance for loss, delinquency, and replacement costs
• if in-house, provisions for photocopying, etc.


• Sources of funding
• grants
• donation campaigns
• membership dues
• "Library Support Group"

2.  Consult Experts

• Library Science and museology are well-established disciplines, and every aspect has been thoroughly investigated at one time or another.
• A professional knows infinitely more than you do; his/her tips will surprise you and save you time, money, and grief.


• THE GREATEST MISTAKE OF ALL IS TO ASSUME THAT "ANYONE WITH COMMON SENSE CAN PLAN AND MANAGE A LIBRARY/MUSEUM FACILITY."
• DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME – SAVE ON RE-DO TIME AND COSTS.