“Explore the Four” for Museum Day Live! 2016

Join the Smithsonian Libraries and the wider Smithsonian community as we explore careers in museums, libraries and research through Museum Day Live! 2016. Special events and opportunities will be held throughout the Smithsonian on March 12, 2016, as well as nation-wide through participating institutions. According to the Museum Day Live! website, “held during Women’s History Month, this “special edition” of  “Museum Day Live!” will encourage all people, and particularly women and girls of color, to explore their nation’s museums, cultural institutions, zoos, aquariums, parks and libraries—which will offer free admission for the day.”

As part of the Smithsonian Libraries participation, we encourage visitors to “Explore the Four”! From 11 am to 1pm, visitors will receive a Smithsonian Libraries postcard and are encouraged to visit all four of the Libraries current exhibitions (Artists’ Books and Africa, Color in a New Light, Come Together: American Artists Respond to Al-Mutanabbi Street, Fantastic Worlds: Science and Fiction, 1780-1910) for a unique stamp.

The first 20 people to visit all four exhibits will receive a special bag of Smithsonian Libraries goodies. All participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the exhibits as well as discuss careers in museums and libraries with our staff.

From 11am- 1pm, visit our staff at these locations:

•  National Museum of African Art, 950 Independence Ave, SW. Level 3. Artists’ Books and Africa exhibition.
•  National Museum of American History. 14th Street and Constitution Ave, NW. First Floor, West Wing. Fantastic Worlds: Science and Fiction, 1780-1910 exhibition.
•  National Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Ave, NW. Ground Floor, Evans Gallery (between gift shops). Color in a New Light exhibition.
•  American Art Museum/Portrait Gallery Library, Victor Building, 750 Ninth Street, NW. Come Together exhibition.

From 12:45-3pm, chat with our staff at a special information table in the Smithsonian Castle, 1000 Jefferson Drive, SW.

 

Interested in careers in libraries and museums but not in DC? No problem! Museum Day Live is a nation-wide event and you can find out about happenings near you through the website. Or, check out the video below in which our National Museum of African American History and Culture Librarian, Shauna Collier, describes her role in the creation of the library for the Smithsonian’s newest museum (now slated to open in September of 2016):

You can also explore LibraryCareers.org, an initiative of the American Library Association, a great starting point for anyone who is considering a career in librarianship. It discusses the many different types of library jobs, the education and skills necessary and benefits to such a career.