Assignment #1: Mayor’s Office Project

Enter your name, the date, and for each question or statement, enter your response in the space provided below each one.

Your name: Caitlan Trick 02/05/17

Date:
1. Name and location of institution

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414

2. What is the purpose and role of the institution in its environment?

The Boonshoft Museum provides interactive science learning experiences for people of any age. The museum aspires to
enlighten its patrons about the wonders of the world. It also hopes to help educate patrons regarding biology, geography,
and anthropology, and thus preserve and protect the earth.

3. What are some principles or values the institution upholds? –

The principles and values of the Boonshoft are to educate patrons concerning all issues relating to the environment,
regardless of socioeconomic status. Additionally and more comprehensively, the institution strives for value in its diverse
collection, its ability to connect its patrons with the museum, its capability to educate on the natural world, its unique role
in providing experiences, as well as the economic growth it brings to the community. All of these values hope to improve
overall quality of life.

4. Describe the user base (number of annual users, demographic description, types of affiliation (members, card holders,
etc.).
The annual revenue is 5,021,578 and they have a staff of 89 and over 150 dedicated volunteers. In 2015 the museum
earned a net income of over 100,000 for the first time, which was mostly composed of programs, special events,
admissions, memberships, and contributions. The demographic description of the museum is kept private, but in 2015 it
served a combined 254,376 learners in the museum and off-site. It also reached 35,321 children through in-school
programs and museum field trips. 60 percent of Boonshoft members listed educational programs as their main reason for
membership. The Boonshoft museum is affiliated with the Association of Children's Museums and the Association of
Science-Technology Centers. The museum is also connected with the Sunwatch Indian Village and Archaeological Park and
Fort Ancient, which is a national historical landmark.
5. Describe the sources of funding for the institution. –
The majority of funding for the museum derive from donations. These donations come from a variety of organizations and
individuals that vary each year. Some of the larger donors are as follows: The Jesse and Caryl Phillips Foundation, The
Dayton Foundation, Dayton Power and Light Company, Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Upper Valley Mall,
Extermial Termite and Pest Control, Meadwestvaco Foundation, Dayton Metro Library, and The Caresource Foundation.
Below I have provided a link to view their complete 2015 donor list.

http://boonshoftmuseum.org/support/
6. Describe or draw the organization structure of the institution. –

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The organization structure of the museum is vertical differentiation. The strategic apex is responsible for the overall
functioning of the museum. The president and CEO is at the top of the hierarchy of power, and this is Mark Meister. Next
is Chief Financial Officer, Don Hull. Next is Vice President Dawn Kirchner, whose focus is in education, then Vice President
Dona Vella, whose focus is in development and external relations, and finally Vice President Lyn Hanson, whose focus is in
collections and research.

The middle line of the institution, under the hierarchy of the strategic apex, is composed of curators and managers of
specialized areas, as well as associate curators. There is a curator and manager of archeology, anthropology, live animals,
astronomy, and an associate of natural history to name a few.

Then, the technostructure and support staff are beside the middle line. A group of 18 members make up the board of
trustees, who support and promote the ongoing programs and educational initiatives of the museum. Then, a large group
of individuals make up the associates board, who serve as advocates and ambassadors to further the museum’s mission
and improve its public image. Further volunteers are called the friends, who come together to organize various events.
Additionally, a class of individuals provide the organization with technical expertise.

Under the middle line is the operating core of the museum. These are the employees that carry out the museum's mission
and provide information to the institutions patrons. This is the largest section of the organization's structure, as they
produce and deliver the museum’s services.
7. Identify 3 issues or trends affecting your institution’s operations. – Answer below

Technology - As technology continues to advance, information is becoming more widely available and easier
to access. Additionally, people are becoming accustomed to having entertainment at their fingertips and are
easily distracted and harder to please. Finally, with technology and constant entertainment available, value is
placed on different subjects that may exclude history and education. With this in mind, technology can also
fuel efficiency, extend outreach and collaboration, and improve services within the institution.
Economic issues- Finances will affect any institution that requires payment to enter. If patrons are having
financial difficulties, then a museum is not a necessity and will likely not be viewed as a priority. This can
determinedly trickle into staffing, event planning, and exhibits. Additionally, each day offers easy
opportunities for individuals to spend their money and in a wide variety of ways, making it a competitive
market.
Spatial issues- Space is a concern in any institution, and particularly one focused on providing both education
and experiences. As more information becomes available and desired, eventually a building will run out of
usable space. The purpose of the museum is to get patrons to come into the physical location and make an
experience of it, meaning the physical space of the museum is vital and needs to be utilized to its highest
degree.
8. What will the institution need to consider in order to address these trends and issues?
The museum will have to keep up with and productively use technology in order to improve upon their exhibits.
Technology is now a specific discipline taught in the museum’s educational classes, such as the creation of a robotics
camp, as well as offering STEM based experiences on their daily calendar. The museum also uses technology by improving
and widely expanding their social media presence. Their online website’s interface is user-friendly, features a blog, and
they are on all of the major social media sites, including multiple daily updates on twitter. This is beneficial to capturing a
younger demographic, other than children. The museum has created temporary, special exhibits to rectify spatial issues,
while permanent exhibits are updated but kept grounded in their original focus as to not diverge from the museum’s
intended mission. Also, as an attempt to combat spatial issues, courses that are taught at the museum are also offered
through an online portal. This allows the museum to reach a larger audience, as well as further highlighting their
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accreditation in their specializations. The museum could also consider building upon their website by uploading
information that can be learned at the museum into a type of database that museum users could access from
home.Economic issues are addressed by the membership packages the museum offers, which contain discounts for
families, students, and individuals, daily admission to their multiple locations, free shows, and museum rentals.
Additionally, the museum could offer a half priced day once a week, or a free day once a month. This could help improve
attendance on slower days or seasons and produce income from those who cannot afford to come to the museum at full
price. Events are also used to increase museum attendance, including an upcoming, after hours event called Eureka.
9. What will happen if they are not addressed? –
If not addressed, the museum could suffer through periods of time where it is not heavily attended. If exhibits do not
feature new and intriguing ideas, then they may become stale and individuals living in the area may stop coming. A large
focus of the museum is toward children, so they must be entertained and want to go to the physical institution. If it is not
affordable, then people will stop visiting and this will impact all facets of the museum. Having a strong social media
presence helps spread awareness of what is going on at the museum, and can highlight exciting elements of the museum.
Additionally, creating an online database concerning the information the museum holds could be beneficial toward
patron's attitudes about the museum. It could become a frequently referenced online resource.
10. Are those trends likely to affect other information institutions that are geographically located nearby? (Note
similarities and differences, potential competition/collaboration between your institution and other information
institutions in the community.)
I believe that these trends affect not only information institutions, but any business. In today's society, it is impossible to
escape technology. Technology must be understood and used for an institution and business to remain relevant.
Additionally, technology creates a competitive market and provides individuals with more choices than ever available
before. Additionally, space within an information institution has inherent issues concerning limitation in services and
information. As discussed, technology can address some of these issues in regards to creating databases or affiliations
with other institutions. Additionally, as budgets become limited and levies are potentially not passed, this will directly
affect museums, and academic and public libraries. I do believe that physical experiences and human connection is valued
based on its rarity, which information institutions can user to their advantage. For example, this is an advantage the
Dayton Art Institute holds as well, which is an information institution featuring a variety of art. While the images it holds
may be easily accessible online, the institution offers an experience of seeing the work in person, as well as offering
activities and events that require attendance to the physical location. Public libraries in the area are also affected by these
trends, but the physical act of browsing and the programming offered through the various branches encourage patron
attendance. All of these institutions offer different services and exhibits, but are similar in their mission in providing
information and education to all of their patrons. Additionally, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery collaborates with
schools in the area to offer educational programs, as well as encouraging entire classes to attend the museum.
11. How are these 3 issues or trends affected by the values and ethics of this institution? –
The values and ethics of the institution uphold that it is a premier provider of interactive science learning, that it enhances
and enriches the quality of life in its community, and that it promotes a broader understanding of the world. This mission
must be upheld in regards to technology, namely ensuring that technology never minimizes the physical experience and
connection of the institution. While technology is a focus of certain exhibits, improves expediency, and molds web
presence, it is abaft concrete interaction. With that in mind, spatial issues affect the museum’s decision on featured
exhibits as well as archives. The mission of the institution demands that information be available and accessible to its
users, so that only the most enriching, educational, and stable exhibits are permanently stored. Additionally, this created
the need for online courses to be offered through the institution, as well as a user-friendly website with a clear interface
to spread awareness of the museum’s presence and events. Issues in economics ensure that the institution runs at its
capacity in service, education, and innovation. Special events, both in and off site, create income and outreach for the
museum while also increasing revenue. The values of the institution are upheld not at the expense of revenue, but as a
product of it.
12. Given these 3 trends or issues, what expertise and skills or competencies do employees in the institution need to
address these trends while fulfilling the institution’s mission

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The most important skill will be the ability to understand, work, and adapt with technology. Employees in an institution
will have to be able to use technology on the job, as well as follow the trends and abilities of technology to be able to stay
relevant. The on-site as well as online courses offered at the museum will require staff with a knowledge of archiving and
creating appropriate metadata for the museum employees as well as students to access. This must continue to be a focus,
as information will continue to grow, change, and require cataloging. Additionally, using social media to increase museum
attendance will continue to be important, and will likely change its form through time. Mostly, employees in the
institution will need to understand what is being used and understood fully in the exhibits, classes, and events held at or
by the museum. If the information being offered becomes stale or outdated, employees will need to understand how to
adapt and rectify whatever needs changing. The ability to adapt is a vital skill to fulfill the institution's mission.
13. Recommendation? Yes or No –
Yes. I believe that The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery should be included on the Mayor’s “Outstanding Institutions” list
due to the fact that it improves quality of life for its patrons. It constantly improves its value concerning the collection,
connection power, educational properties, its delivery of physical experience, and consistent economic improvement. It
remains grounded in today’s technological world as it is not simply about exhibits. It’s educational programs are of a high
caliber, as 60 percent of its members cited this as their reason for joining the institution, it’s live animal exhibit earned a
reaccreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the institutions daily calendar of highly anticipated and
frequented programs averages 10-15 activities. Regarding the three trends affecting the institution's operations,
technology, economic, and spatial issues are successfully addressed by the institution. The Boonshoft Museum of
Discovery has the ability to adapt and grow in today’s society.
14. Resources consulted –

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Dayton society of natural history: Experience more. [PDF document]. Retrieved
from https://www.dropbox.com/s/9i4xzy3rqsj6pdk/dsnh-annual-report-CURRENT_FINAL.pdf?dl=0

Creative, M. (n.d.). Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Boonshoft Museum of Discovery. Retrieved from
http://boonshoftmuseum.org/

Creative, M. (n.d.). Leadership. Retrieved from from http://boonshoftmuseum.org/about/leadership/

Creative, M. (n.d.). Mission, History & Accreditations. Retrieved March 01, 2017, from
https://www.boonshoftmuseum.org/about/mission-history-accreditations

DSP-Groep & Netherlands Museums Association (2011). The social significance of museums.Retrieved from
https://kent.ares.atlas-sys.com/ares/ares.dll?Action=10&Type=10&Value=62950

Moran, B. (2013). Structuring the organization: Specialization and Coordination. Library and Information Center
Management, 8. 141-163. Retrieved from https://kent.ares.atlas-
sys.com/ares/ares.dll?Action=10&Type=10&Value=62988

Stamp of Approval. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://thedaytonmagazine.com/DM/Articles/Stamp_of_Approval_4899.aspx

URL of the presentation –

https://presenter.kent.edu/playbacknew.php?playthis=74j1znts

Space for script –

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(This script was heavily edited to fit within the five minute requirement) The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery dates back
to 1893, where it began as part of the Dayton Public Library and Museum system. As time went on, exhibits began to be
donated to the institution, following the trend of a children’s museum. These exhibits were grounded in science and
natural history, with a constant focus on inspiring children to embrace these disciplines. As the museum grew, it never
wavered in its mission to promote a lifelong love of learning. Today, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is the regional
provider of interactive science learning experiences. The museum is also not alone, as it is affiliated with Sunwatch Indian
Village and Archaeological Park, as well as the national historic landmark, Fort Ancient.
I have compiled a list of quick statistics to highlight the museum’s impact in its society. The institution's annual revenue is
$5,021,578. It employs a regular staff of 89 members, as well as having over 150 dedicated volunteers donate their time
to the museum’s mission annually. In 2015, Boonshoft earned a net income of over $100,000, which was a first for the
institution. Also, in 2015 alone, the museum served roughly 254, 376 patrons. With this figure in mind, 35,321 children
were served, specifically through in-school programs as well as field trips.
I believe that The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery should be included on the Mayor’s “Outstanding Institutions” list due to
the fact that it improves quality of life for its patrons by successfully implementing five social values. The museum has
twelve constant exhibits that are updated but never completely changed, as well showing multiple special, temporary
exhibits each year. Currently the museum is offering a showcase based on mammals from the Cenozoic era, as well as a
look at time on a geologic scale. The institution also strives to connect its community, which is illustrated through its
number of volunteers, its eighteen member board of trustees, and its associates board, who serve as advocates and
ambassadors to further the museum’s mission and improve its public image. Education is also an obvious focus,
underlined in the amount of patron attendance and that 60 percent of museum members cited educational programs as
their reason for joining the institution. Its value in offering an experience is what urges patrons to attend the physical
museum, offering a daily calendar of frequented programs averaging ten to fifteen activities. Finally, its economic value
improves each year, as was mentioned previously by earning a net income of one million. Additionally, much of the
museum’s funding comes from donations and grants, at no cost to the local community. These donations and grants come
from a variety of organizations and individuals that vary each year
Here I have included a picture of both the outside of the museum, as well as an interior image showcasing the Hall of the
Universe exhibit
In today’s society, there is an extremely competitive marketplace for entertainment. Information is becoming more widely
available and easier to access, shaping people to become accustomed to having entertainment at their fingertips, and
becoming easily distracted and harder to please. Due to this, the most important ability for an information institution
employee is the capacity and will to adapt. Three trends affecting the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, which they are
effectively combating are technology, economic issues, and spatial concerns.
Technology is persistent and enveloping in information institutions. The presence of technology allows for a information
and entertainment to be easily accessed, as well as having its value questioned. When finding information is easier than
ever, value may be placed on different commodities. However, technology also allows for improved efficiency, extension
of outreach and collaboration, as well as improving services within the institution. The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
has been able to adapt to technology and teach it as a specific discipline within its courses, such as offering a robotics
camp and planning activities that are STEM based. They have been able to create a smooth interface for their website as
well, making their events and activities simple to find. The museum also uses technology by improving and widely
expanding their social media presence. They have daily updates on twitter, which greatly assists in reaching the millennial
demographic.
Economic concerns are a common trend in information institutions, due to budget cuts, patrons not having enough
expendable money to attend the museum and thus not seeing the institution as a necessity or priority, as well as the
many opportunities that are available each day for individuals to spend their money on instead. The Boonshoft adapts to
these issues by the membership packages the museum offers, which contain discounts for families, students, and
individuals, daily admission to their multiple locations, free shows, and museum rentals. Events are also used to increase
museum attendance, including an upcoming, after hours event called Eureka.
As more information becomes available and desired, eventually a building will run out of usable space. The purpose of
the museum is to get patrons to come into the physical location and make an experience of it, meaning the physical space

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of the museum is vital and needs to be utilized to its highest degree. The Boonshoft adapts to this issue by creating
temporary, special exhibits that add variety to the institution. Permanent exhibits are kept as to uphold the mission and
purpose of the museum, but these are often updated. Additionally, online courses are offered as an alternative to the on-
site courses, which helps to reach a larger audience, allows them to teach a wider array of subjects, as well as further
highlight their accreditation in their specializations
Adapting and growing in the face of changing trends in information institutions directly relates with the museum's mission
that strives to it enhance and enrich the quality of life in its community, and promote a broader understanding of the
world. While technology may change and help improve the services of the museum, it comes second to the physical
interaction with science and the natural world that the institution upholds. Issues in economics ensure that the institution
runs at its capacity in service, education, and innovation. Additionally, spatial issues affect the museum’s decision on
featured and permanent exhibits. The mission of the institution demands that information be available and accessible to
its users, so that only the most enriching, educational, and stable exhibits are permanently stored. These trends must not
be ignored by any information institution, in any area. Adapting is necessary for staying relevant in the quickly changing
world, but physical experiences and human connection is valued based on its rarity, which information institutions can
user to their advantage. The mission of providing information is similar in all information institutions, and while services
are different they all adhere to their mission and ethics as they adapt.

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