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AAM's Information Center offers extra value to museums that become AAM members. In addition to the online resources that are available to all members, member museums can access the confidential, customized reference services run by the Information Center staff. Member museums may ask about any aspect of museum operations from collections stewardship to financial stability to governance. The Information Center staff gathers relevant materials and typically can respond within two business days.
"I am so impressed with the depth and breadth of information you have researched for us," wrote Julia Clymer of the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska, after contacting the Information Center. "Your efforts have given our Board much more solid information on which to do further research and make better decisions. What a terrific and valuable service that AAM provides members in this way."
Museum members also have another exclusive benefit: access to a growing collection of sample documents. The Information Center currently has about 400 documents of almost 40 different types, including governing documents (such as bylaws, codes of ethics, and management agreements), policies (such as collections management and personnel), plans (including institutional, collections, and disaster preparedness), and position descriptions. Each document is vetted and includes a cover sheet that provides information about the document's features and the authoring museum.
The Information Center's reference services and sample documents help museum staff save time and learn from their peers' experience. "Thank you so much for e-mailing the sample policies/programs," wrote Kay Fisher of the Clinton County Historical Society, Ohio. "Your support helps those of us in a small museum (1-1/2 people) feel that we are part of a much larger network and that we are working with organizations throughout the U.S."
Member museums may contact the Information Center at infocenter@aam-us.org. Help is just a click away!
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