On the other hand, a routine pest control maintenance program has prevented
our carpet (on wood subfloor) from being a problem for 15 years.  Sadly,
whoever planned the galleries didn't look ahead.  It's time to replace the
carpet and to do so, all the exhibit installations must be removed.

Hard surfaces may be easy to clean, convenient for the staff for moving
cases & carts, etc. but the visitor has a much quieter experience when the
galleries are full.  The carpet absorbs the noise (and the dust).

> At 01:55 AM 8/10/97 -0500, you wrote:
> >Allison C. Reid wrote:
> >> I'm the exhibit designer for the Museum of Mobile. My dilemma is
whether
> >> to use carpet in my core exhibit galleries or not. I would like any
pros
> >> or cons of such use.
> >
> >to add to the list:
> >
> >con: it's harder to move cases or heavy carts around on carpeting than
it is
> >on hard surfaces (how often will your core exhibit galleries change?
> >how much traffic do they get with heavy carts by staff? by caterers?)
> >
> >con: static electricity from some carpets may annoy visitors getting
"shocks"
> >
> >Ray
> >***
> >(trying to think of
> >a "pro:" for balance
> >but can't right now...)
> >
> Dear Allison:
>
> Insects and other small critters are always on the lookout for carpeted
> museum galleries and storage spaces.  Choose another flooring - carpet is
> not worth the effort or the worry.  Cheers, Geri Thomas