Adult Education Philosophies in Museums, Galleries and Libraries in Canada and England: Preliminary Findings of a Cross-national Study

Using a cross-national interpretive approach that employed interviews, focus groups and observations we explored the adult education philosophies and activities of 22 educators in small, medium and large public museums, galleries and libraries in Canada and England. Findings show a plethora of activities and partnerships and tensions between the terms education and learning. Libraries in both countries generally take a more liberal approach to adult education whereas museums and galleries predominantly in England combine the critical and the creative