The security committee of AAM and the Museum, Library and Cultural
Property Committee of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)
endorsed and published a document prepared by the ASIS entitled "Suggested
Guidelines in Museum Security".  These are intended to be a common
denominator for security for all museums in North America. Other world
regions have adopted them as well. When issued in 1991, they were called
the most important project in the area of museum protection ever
undertaken. Review copies sent to 1000 museum professionals resulted in
over 200 positive replies and one negative reply.
The ASIS committee announced September 11 that the committee is
entertaining comment for possible revision of the "Guidelines" . Over 2000
copies have been distributed via the bookstores of AAM and ASIS and many
insurers consider compliance with the "Guidelines" to be essential and
mandatory.
We are particularly interested in hearing how specific guidelines do not
serve your needs as a result of being outdated. No need to comment on ADA
issues as they are being reviewed from an ADA perspective. No need to
address NFPA fire code references as they are also being reconciled with
NFPA changes. Most committee members feel that the changes to this
document will be minor and technical in nature and that the document will
remain essentially unchanged.
If you have suggestions for revisions or wish to comment on the
"Guidelines" in any way, you are invited to do so by contacting ASIS
Sub-Committee Chair Steve Keller at Steve Keller and Associates, Inc. 1939
Algonquin Avenue Deltona, FL 32725 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]
If you want a copy of the Guidelines, they can be obtained from the AAM
Bookstore for $12.
[log in to unmask]  (Steve Keller, Museum Security Consultant)