Authorizing the Mayor to submit to the Institute of Museum Services a grant application for general operating support monies for Discovery Hall

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rl III. Accessibility How accessible to the public are the museum's services, collections, and exhibits? How accessible will they be if the general operational support is granted? In the answer, the applicant should discuss the accessibility of the museum's ser- vices, collections, and exhibits. Specific information concerning the hours, days, and months the museum is open to the public and length of exhibitions should be included. The applicant should also address any changes in the accessibility of the museum's ser- vices that would result from IMS funds. Discovery Hall Museum is open to the public 35 hours weekly, every day but Monday. The museum's hours are 10 to 4:30 Tuesday through Friday; 10 to 4 on Saturday and 1 to 4 on Sunday. The museum's research library is open from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday, the same hours that the professional staff works. The museum's major exhibits are permanent (with an expected life span of seven to ten years). However, some temporary exhibition space is available and exhibits planned for these areas are usually of a duration of one to three months. Because of staff limitations, the museum's services such as tours and outreach programs are more limited than they should be. With an additional professional on the staff, these programs can be extended to a wider audience. This will be ac- complished through more staff and better trained volunteers. With additional funds from IMS, it may be possible for thL- museum -to extend its hours of operation, including opening one evenin5 per ':peek. Persons who work during the day would then have gre -ter opportunity to visit the museum. (May be continued on following page) 15