The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, a historically rich society with a dwindling community presence faces a threefold problem. At the root of its difficulties is the organization’s limited finances which have forced HSP to curtail programs and cut staff. The second difficulty is limited storage availability which raises questions about whether the organization can maintain both their museum and library. Lastly, the organization seeks to make the collection more “accessible to users.”
The greatest priority must be assigned to the HSP’s financial situation which, as evidenced in first two objectives on the table, can be resolved by either reducing costs or attracting donors. The former would limit the second and third goals of improving…show more content… However, it is the best options for two reasons. Firstly, it is the most likely to attract donors which is the prioritized and the greatest uncertainty within all three options. Unlike option one, it narrows the focus of the library which would in turn “galvanize funders, researchers, and members” to support the organization. Furthermore, unlike option three, it will be highly focused on improving the institution, achieving the objectives of improving the reputation as a library, and capturing public attention. This will increase profits which is in the best interest of the board and the staff. The group to be negatively affected are the 240 donors which represents a small, albeit important, proportion, of the overall membership. Additionally, “most members and users always thought HSP was a library, not a museum” and understandably so, because most historical societies in the US are, by Sitt’s words “either a library or a museum.” Option three will disadvantage the least number of stakeholders especially considering the unsavory, yet very true reality that most donors have now passed…show more content… Firstly, it remains extremely theoretical. It will require a baffling $50 million which is difficult to raise considering that all the other museums to be merged with are poorly funded. Also, the Constitution Center, another museum in planning stages may also be drawing donations away from the history museum. Another potential consequence is its failure to look out for the best interest of HSP. HSP may not necessarily be deaccessioning the art but it is being given away to an independent institution nonetheless. This makes this option only marginally better than option two in this respect. Furthermore, HSP’s executive members would be devoting their time and resources focused on the museum as opposed to the library. This is effectively trading off quality of service as well as the art collection to focus on a project that does not directly contribute towards HSP’s success. Meanwhile, this is assuming that the $50 million can be