Rachel — You’ve gotten a lot of great advice from professional conservators, here is a bit more of a “practical tip” from a museum curator. As others have said, ALL types or light are harmful to some degree. Don’t use UV film applied DIRECTLY to a window (especially a historic window) the film WILL need to be replaced over time, and is hard (impossible) to remove safely. Instead use the film as a “shade” - possibly make frames to fit snugly in the window, and then cover those frames with the UV film. Personally I like blacking-out the windows and then controlling the artificial light. Again consider making/instlalling fabric-covered “stretcher frames” which fit snugly inside the window frame. These will also gives you some more “wall space” for exhibit photos and text panels. You can get UV filtering “tubes” that slip over your existing fluorescent light bulb tubes…. but again these can be a bit pricey and will need to be monitored and replaced eventually. Consider some simple “smart switches” - motion activated light switches which would turn lights on/off as visitors enter/leave the exhibit room. They are cheap, and easy-enough for amatures to replace an existing switch. - David - David Lewis -----Original Message----- From: Rachel Whitney <[log in to unmask]> To: MUSEUM-L <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Fri, Jul 27, 2018 11:27 am Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Light it Up Thank you all for helping me with my earlier question about pianos and organs. I do have another question that I hope you can help me with: Windows (with direct sunlight/no shading, blinds, or film), windows (with just shading like black-out shades), windows (with only UV film, as in, the inexpensive film from Walmart) - which is best? I know with out a doubt that direct sunlight is not; however, which of the last two options is best? I am asking because right now in my museum we have windows with black-out shades. Unfortunately, I keep walking in and finding a few have been drawn up from a docent that volunteers there. I have repeatedly explained why direct sunlight is harmful, but this volunteer keeps asking why we can't add the UV film and *then* have the shades drawn. (Not a single window has the UV protection in the building, but most do have the shades). This volunteer also complains that it is too dark - when I have checked the lighting meter, and it is too much direct light even with the florescent lights we have. I, honestly, do not want the film and have the shades drawn up - I personally love the shades. But I am trying to do the right thing by following museum standards/procedures. What is the best option we have as for lighting? Thank you so much for all your help! -Rachel Whitney ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).