The results of ISO studies are disseminated in several for- 

 mats. The major vehicle is a report series; analyses include 

 technical appendices that both document the work and can be 

 used as methodological models. The Reports are distributed 

 both within and outside of the SI. Publications also include re- 

 search notes. Research notes have a more limited distribution, 

 either because of the subject matter or because the results are 

 not generalizable. Results are also presented at professional 

 meetings or in journal publications. Finally, to ensure that 

 clients have timely access to results while more formal docu- 

 ments are being prepared, memoranda are prepared for inter- 

 nal use. 



The Office's 1997—98 activities included: 



(1) Background studies: (a) A background study of the atti- 

 tudes of Mall visitors towards Native Americans. This 

 study, in preparation for the new National Museum of the 

 American Indian on the National Mall, was conducted in 

 three different museums on the Mall, (b) The Star-Spangled 

 Banner study — a background study designed to help in the 

 preparation of a future display of this famous icon aftet con- 

 servation is completed. Smithsonian visitors in the Nation- 

 al Museum of American History were surveyed regarding 

 their use of flags, their preferences for display, and the 

 values they associated with the flag and American history, 

 (c) Interviews with engaged visitors in the National 

 Museum of American Art and National Portrait Gallery. 

 This qualitative study offered insight into the experiences 

 of visitors in these two museums that share one building. It 

 also provided information on which to base a subsequent 

 survey study. 



(2) Formative evaluation; for example, audience research for 

 "Bodyworks," a future exhibition on medicine in the National 

 Museum of American History. ISO staff worked with mem- 

 bers of the exhibition planning team in informal assessment of 

 visitor responses to items proposed for the exhibition. 



(3) Assessments of major exhibitions and programs, including 

 the following: (a) "Puja," an exhibition of Hindu art at the 

 Arthur M Sadder Gallery that was designed to be especially 

 educational; (b) "Twelve Centuries of Japanese Art from the 

 Imperial Collections," another exhibition at the Sackler 

 Gallery, was studied because its style of presentation dif- 

 fered so significantly from that of the Puja exhibition, 

 although the visiting audiences were very similar; (c) the 

 Contributing Membership Program was studied through a 

 mail survey in order to compare the present membership 

 and their attitudes with those who were in the program ten 

 years ago, the time of the last study. 



(4) Technical training: Three ISO staff members conducted a 

 one-week course introducing the methods and potentials of 

 visitor studies. The course was offered under the auspices of 

 the Center for Museum Studies. Participants came from 

 smaller museums from across the country. 



(5) Statistical information on Smithsonian constituencies for 

 bureau and office development staffs and program person- 

 nel: for example, /p^7 Visits so Smithsonian Museums. 



(6) Statistical analyses used by the Institution to meet its 

 labor force reporting requirements to the Regents, the 

 Congtess, and othet federal agencies. 



(7) Presentation of research results: (a) This year two ISO staff 

 members made presentations at the annual meeting of the 

 American Association of Museums and four ISO staff 

 presented papers at the annual meeting of the Visitor 

 Studies Association; (b) The directot presented a paper on 

 museum visitor research to a graduating class at the 

 University of the Aits in Philadelphia. 



Office of the Chief Financial Officer 



Rick Johnson, Chief Financial Officer 



The Office of the Chief Financial Officer was established by 

 memo from the Under Secretary dated, July 17, 1996. The 

 Chief Financial Officer is responsible for the Office of the 

 Comprroller, the Office of Contracting, and the Office of the 

 Treasurer The Chief Financial Officer also provides oversight 

 over rhe financial management of grants and contracts in the 

 Office of Sponsored Projects. 



During fiscal year 1998 there was continued development of 

 the financial plan for the Dulles Centet Project at the National 

 Air and Space Museum. There was also a focus on improving the 

 understanding of the Smithsonian's financial status with the is- 

 suance of a number of reports expanding upon the audited finan- 

 cial statements. Activities of the Si-wide indirect cost team led to 

 a more equitable business activity rate. 



Financial systems projects included the successful imple- 

 mentation of the new government travel card, stabilization of 

 the processing of accounting data for payroll and planning for 

 Y2K compliance. 



Some additional activities are listed below: 



• Managed the contract with the external auditors; assured an 

 effective annual audit, which resulted in an unqualified 

 opinion of the audited statements 



• Prepared the financial report for Smithsonian Year 199J 



• Served on the National Postal Museum Cootdinating 

 Committee 



• Served on Si-wide internal control committee (FMFIA) 



Office of General Counsel 



John E. Huerta, General Counsel 



The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) protects the legal 

 interests of the Smithsonian Institution. In carrying out that 

 mission, the OGC provides legal advice and counsel to the 



Si 



