Thoughtfully produced and thorough, this handbook covers the gamut of building a new museum or adding onto an existing one, beginning with fundraising, payment, and planning the design through each step of construction and moving in. The volume is filled with practical information, much of it presented in bulleted lists of the key points for each topic or step in the process. Planning is discussed in detail, with useful guidelines for considering the space, the historic contents to be housed in the space, and methods to ensure their safety, lighting, and other issues of viewing and conservation. Appendices discuss reading blueprints, specification, and schedules, a glossary of construction terminology, and a table of museum spaces organized by function. The guide was written by three current or former managers of outreach services for the Minnesota Historical Society, charged with advising museums throughout the state; Robert Herskovitz, Timothy Glines, and David Grabitske. Annotation 2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
