We’re not quite done pulling CultureLab together, but the semester has begun, and classes have begun to use the space!

One of the wonderful things about museum spaces is how they change once they are full of people. Designers and curator, I think, tend to imagine spaces without people, pristine in their displays, objects on the stage, words there to be studied. It’s much harder to imagine a space full of people, each at least as interesting as any object on display. We know that we’re supposed to design for an audience, but it’s not always easy.

The same is true of designing an interactive space. Students start using it, and you realize that it’s not just about space and things, but about procedures and policies, too.

Most important, we’ve decided to have open hours for the CultureLab, and a staffer there when it’s open. We have a museum guard/greeter, who could handle some of this, but there are really two different jobs here. So (to start with). Tuesday through Friday, 1:00 to 3:00 we’ll have someone there to work with anyone coming in to look at objects. This not only lets us shape a more significant learning experience, but als0 lets us advertise the CultureLab as an ongoing event, rather than just an exhibition.

And we’re been writing rules.

First, the usual sign: no food and drink

Next a set of rules for handling objects. We’re still debating these. We’ve got a good set of rules, but perhaps so thorough that it won’t be read. How detailed should this be?

We’ve made a determination about what objects can and can’t be handled – and we will indicate those which should not be touched, with a red star next to them, as a reminder.

Next, procedures for students coming to use the site. We’ve decided that each student should sign in, and list the objects they’re looking at:

Now that we’ve made it foreboding, a sign on the table, for when the area is attended: “Ask me about CultureLab!”

• Take handling course
• Know basic information about the museum
• Know what objects are for which class, and where they are, and something about them
• Know  what’s on the computer and how to find object information, photos
• Know how to use the tools: microscope, etc.
• Know how to present the CL kits for general visitors.