Creating Great Visitor Experiences: A Guide for Museums, Parks, Zoos, Gardens & Libaries

by Stephanie Weaver

Museum and other non-profit professionals have begun to realize that the complete visitor experience is the key to repeat attendance, successful fundraising, and building audience loyalty. Taking lessons learned by successful experience-shapers in the for-profit world, Stephanie Weaver distills this knowledge for museums and other organizations which depend on visitor satisfaction for success. Is your institution welcoming? Are the bathrooms clean? Does the staff communicate well? Are there enough places to sit? These practical matters may mean more to creating a loyal following than any exhibit or program the institution develops. Weaver breaks the visitor experience down to 8 steps and provides practical guidance to museums and related institutions on how to create optimal visitor experiences for each of them. In a workshop-like format, she uses multiple examples, exercises, and resource links to walk the reader through the process.

Genres: Museology, Design

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Stephanie Weaver, MPH is a writer and TED talk speaking coach. Her fifth book

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read with solid, actionable advice from someone who’s “been there” and knows what they’re talking about. I did not participate in any of the exercises in the final 1/3 of the book, but the first chapters are heavily highlighted and instantly usable.

Some of the book has not aged well, particularly short briefs on technology and media, but that’s to be expected. Overall, highly recommended.

[Al Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the concepts are pretty basic for museum/zoo etc. audiences, her examples and ways of framing the concepts really help you identify with the strengths and weaknesses of your institution or team. The exercises in the back were particularly helpful in getting us to think about how we might act on the points she makes to improve the guest experience. Useful, easy read.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Work-related, worthwhile.

[Mills College Library]

069.1 W3638 2007