"Museums Involving Communities:Authentic Connections offers plenty of worksheets, tips, and advice for the novice and the expert alike. It digs deep to unpack the role of museums in the cultural and civic life of local communities and as agents of community change. The deepening of relationships by museum workers looking to make an impact, while building long-term partnerships with local communities, can profoundly benefit the individuals involved, the museum and its bottom line, and the community. The extent to which this book can assist museums in developing engagement strategies for implementation and evaluation will cement its true value to the profession. It’s not only a tall order, but a collective call to action that positions institutions to shape a better tomorrow for those they serve."
Inez S. Wolins, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, USA

Introduction  1. Defining Terms  2. Building Healthier Communities  3. Relevant Community Theory  4. Museums and Communities Timeline: A History  5. How Other Community-Focused Fields Inform Museum Practice  6. Learning About the Museum and Learning About Oneself  7. Learning About Communities and Creating a Community Profile  8. Creating a Community Involvement Action Plan  9. Challenges  10. Outcomes, Impacts, and Accountability  Appendices

Margaret Kadoyama has over thirty-five years of experience in the museum profession. She is a faculty member at John F. Kennedy University, USA, and principal of Margaret Kadoyama Consulting, a consultancy specializing in community engagement and audience development.