Re the cost of catalogs, one suggestion from Eric Siegel was:
>
>           2) Make levels of catalogs, with different prices and
>           different levels of information/illustration, and different
>           media such as hardbound, paperbound, pamphlet, etc.
>
Taking this one step further, a museum could put out a brochure or
even leaftlet-type thing with the pertinent info, sometimes even
illustrations, relatively cheaply.  Two of my favorite local museums
do this in conjunction with most of their exhibits.  Usually a
brochure and free, sometimes an inexpensively produced booklet for
sale in the shop.  I like to have something in my hot little hand to
read later.  I hate the notion that every bit of information has to
be gotten into the exhibit via labels (and in general, don't read
labels unless it's something that looks particularly interesting).
The brochure/leaflet seems a nice compromise for museums of history,
natural history, etc.--the problem is much trickier for an art
museum, of course.
 
Nan Lawler