Chapter One- “In the Service of Society”

If you are not reading The Social Work of Museums here is what you missed:

Silverman starts out chapter one with a few narrative examples of what contemporary social work in a museum looks like.  She then continues by talking about concerns that arise when museums do choose to pursue a path of social work.  It is interesting to read about the objections she presents, which range from social work not meeting the museum’s mission to museum professionals not being qualified to do social work (pg. 3).  Silverman then spends some time focusing on the history of social work in museums.  She generates a list of participating museums that include some lesser known traveling exhibits and neighborhood museums.  Discussing museum examples from the past gives her work credibility.  Her main point from chapter one emerges as she relates the fact that museums have always conducted social work with the importance of them continuing social work (pg. 13).  She ends by discussing social work in the contemporary museum setting focusing on the idea of relationships.

Think About It:

The two parts of chapter one that I found the most fascinating are the contrasting rich history of museums and social work, and the fear that some people have about contemporary museums being a place of social work.   What parts about museums and social work are you most excited about?  Do you have any concerns about museums being involved in social work?