Introduction to the Museum Learning Collaborative    The Museum Learning Collaborative (MLC) is funded by a consortium of public agencies under the direction of the Institute for Museum and Library Services, with a mission to advance theoretically-driven research on learning in museums. This nationwide project includes a core set of researchers and museums working together to develop a common research agenda that benefits from the combined expertise of these two constituencies. In support of this agenda, the MLC has established a web-based, comprehensive, annotated literature database for use by museum professionals, students, and others interested in understanding informal learning in museums. In addition, the MLC has initiated a web-based collection of university course syllabi, allowing faculty to share information on courses that deal with informal learning and learning in museums. The MLC project is proceeding in two phases. Phase 1, which was completed in the fall of 1998, was devoted to creating the annotated bibliography, beginning the design of a program of research studies, and launching the MLC web site. The MLC web site begins with a statement of the project's philosophy and purpose. The site also provides information about the collaborating researchers and museums, an online copy of the annotated literature database and course syllabi, and plans for research. This newsletter disseminates current information about the project's activities. The related links page provides web links to related sites on the Internet. Phase 2 Underway Phase 2 of the MLC will focus on conducting studies on learning in the collaborating museums. In the early part of Phase 2 we will implement a number of small-scale, validation studies designed to address specific methodological issues. Findings from these studies will inform the design of a large-scale, comprehensive study that will examine learning across six types of museums and multiple types of visitor populations. The specific learning definition we are using to undergird our studies is conversational elaboration. A detailed description of our proposed research activities is available in the Phase 2 section of our web site. As we proceed with the research studies, we will continue to maintain and expand the annotated literature database and the university course syllabi collection.