intellect and emotion

Although there is much discussed in Elizabeth Yakel's article "Museums, management, media, and memory: Lessons from the Enola Gay exhibition" her mention of attracting the audience both intellectually and emotionally is one that is addressed in multiple examples. The fine line between capturing this balance with integrity and caging it with a strong desire to insure shock or hype is small. While focus needs to be brought to the effort of appealing to the audience or patron on many fronts, there needs to be equal attention on monitoring unnecessary flashiness. Providing a checks and balances of criteria when operating with the public to convey or display information is sometimes unpleasant, but necessary.

Additionally, when this concept is applied to the fundamental elements of both archival and library institutions it touches upon the heart of what it means to be a part of an organization of information. Without the dual integration of intellect and emotion it becomes difficult to attract a multitude of patrons into learning repository institutions. However, as discussed throughout the article, there are some risks to the powerful combination of intellect and emotion. Thus, as Yakel suggests, it is important to stay true to this mission while maintaining a respectful distance from the political or controversial minefields that often come in sync with nurtured in this environment.