A holistic introduction to museum theory and practice, this second edition is designed to be the core introductory text for any foundational museum studies course being taught in any discipline.

You'll examine the evolution, divergence, definition, and legal organization of museums in the context of collections of objects and how museums perform the basic functions of preservation, communication, and research. Through the lens of museological theory and a systems approach, you'll learn how museum objects are managed by professionals and used by the public and scholars. You'll get an overview of contemporary museums worldwide and think through the future of museums. Useful as an introductory text for any foundational museum studies course – whether in library and information science, museum studies, or a related area – this text's unique perspective approaches museums as communicative knowledge systems that deal with people, objects, and ideas. The second edition includes new material on museum careers, legal issues, globalization, climate change, positive museology, and museums and sustainability.

This foundational text is adaptable to a broad range of courses and disciplines when paired with supplementary readings.