Viewing page 115 of 239

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

-84-

for the use of clearly understandable evidence for objects and discoveries that are likely to become increasingly complex. This might take the form of restored artifacts, illustrative models, clearly labeled text or drawings, and works of art that convey images of the ways in which all of the phenomena associated with the conquest of air and space are conceived and communicated. Without any doubt, the project will need to take advantage of recent advances in the use of interactive displays and other learning aids. These enormously increase the quality of the learning experience and enable the Institution better to meet the differentiated interests of individual visitors. But they do so by arresting a visitor's attention, seriously impeding traffic flows that are already excessively heavy in our existing Museum.

Beyond these essential requirements, it should be a planning objective to try meet the persistent, widespread expressions of visitor interest in being able to view the restoration of aircraft as this is carried on today by the Museum's specialists in relatively inaccessible facilities at Silver Hill. To the extent possible, space might also be provided for in the new Extension to help in housing the Museum's staff in more efficient ways. Most are now located at the Museum on the Mall, but others are at Silver Hill and still others will shortly need to be placed in detached rental space. The present crowding is so extreme that the Museum is no longer able to avail itself of additional volunteers, even though there is great need for their services, nor to accept new fellows even though they would readily come bringing their own support.

There is, in other words, an urgent need for additional space in a new, airport-adjacent extension if the Museum is to continue to fulfill its vital role in the Smithsonian complex of activities. The precise scale and configuration of activities that will result should not be specified prior to a planning effort. Without a comprehensive study it is also not possible to project costs or timing. But it is a matter of importance to the Institution as a whole to avoid delay in clarifying these features. No aspect of the promising new approach outlined above can be developed in realistic detail, let alone implemented, unless plans are undertaken that explicitly envious a Museum extension as a solution to the Museum's critical space shortage.

To initiate the planning process, the Secretary proposes to establish a small working group of staff from various units within the Institution to assist in the development of a scope of work for a study of program requirements.

The study also must consider its spatial requirements, the form of a facility in which to house such a program, and investigate sites for its location. Costs of the program, the facility, and its operations then must be estimated and a strategy for funding those costs must be outlined. The body of work that results should provide a sound basis for articulating future needs for authorization.

A funding requirement of $100,000 for the initial phase of the study is estimated. It is believed that this amount can be identified within fiscal year 1988 resources.