The timing could hardly be better for this guide to values that can sustain museums over time. Today, under economic pressures, museums are tempted to resort to stopgap strategies - in relation to collections, exhibitions, and diverse publics - that may keep the doors open but often threaten long-term institutional credibility. Selma Holo, Mari-Tere Alvarez, and the distinguished colleagues they have gathered in Beyond the Turnstile offer those professionally involved with museums the opportunity to return to core principles. Equally importantly, they provide museum visitors and patrons guidelines about what they have a right to expect, even in difficult circumstances.

Steven D. Lavine, President, California Institute of the Arts; co-editor, Exhibiting Cultures and Museums and Communities

Beyond the Turnstile does more than make the case that museums are essential for the way we need to live; it provides both clarity and multiple perspectives to help us articulate and implement the values that enrich the lives of our communities.

John L. Gray, President and CEO, Autry National Center of the American West

Selma Holo and Mari-Tere Alvarez's book is an urgently important and compelling statement from leading authorities on museums today. More than anything I've read lately, Holo makes the case for transforming the traditional museum into a vital, creative, and groundbreaking entity that is truly relevant to the creative individual, the museum professional, contemporary society, and the issues of our time. This is absolutely must-reading for anyone in the museum field.

Richard Koshalek, Director, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Co-editor Holo's introduction is subtitled "A Crisis Is a Terrible Thing to Waste"; this reflects the theme of the book in general. It incorporates creative ideas and suggestions from a wide range of sources. . . . This is a strong collection, unique in its focus and perspective. . . . Recommended.

Choice Reviews

The last few decades saw the rise of the business model for museums, with greater accountability, financial skill, and fundraising ability on demand for directors and many others in the professions. Selma Holo argues in her introduction to Beyond the Turnstile that this shift in focus was valuable, creating stronger and more transparent institutions. Yet she believes museums must now move beyond number crunching and recognize that they need, 'first and foremost, to represent unique and sustainable values.' The book outlines 10 such principles, including public trust, relevance, globalization, and communication; each discussion is bolstered by multiple essay contributions. Only in fulfilling those values, Holo argues, can museums 'articulate and claim their indispensability to society and its continuing betterment.'

Diplo: Towards more inclusive and effective diplomacy

Although I normally hesitate to use the word 'masterpiece,' especially about the cultural icon of icons, the contemporary museum, in this case the word is appropriate for three big reasons. First, this book defines the contemporary state of museums and foretells what changes are necessary for a sustainable future. The second may come as a surprise, perhaps even to the editors; the book is not only about museums but offers lessons for all knowledge- and performance-based institutions: universities, symphony orchestras, theater companies, and many others. Finally, while every stakeholder of museums should make this book required reading, I believe all educated people will benefit from this compilation of indispensable essays by many of the world's most influential thinkers.

Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Business Administration, University of Southern California