Please answer to the list as I am interested in knowing the general feeling
of "public" access to accession information, too.  I am the new curator of a
significant collection of 19th & 20th century Shaker material culture, and
there are limitations to the information I share with researchers.  It
varies, however, with the focus and reason for the research.  I have
disappointed a number of persons interested in reproducing objects in our
collection by not being able to allow them to measure pieces.  I find,
however, that many times objects from our collection have been featured in
special exhibition catalogues, complete with measurements!

I am very interested in learning how other institutions deal with this issue.

Sharon Duane Koomler, Curator
Hancock Shaker Village