>>> Sally Shelton <[log in to unmask]> 03/01 7:38 AM >>>
>The museum is well within its rights to restrict photography for all these reasons and more, 
>and does not have to spell out the reasons for the restrictions to the public. 

Although you might find more compliance if you spell out some of the reasons to the patrons. I must admit that some people will always touch sculptures, take flash photographs, etc. because either they do it without thinking, feel that just one photo or caress won't do damage, or believes that nothing applies to them (A person once drove up to the "Authorized Personnel Only" gate, opened it (no lock on it), drove through and was later found driving on the Observatory grounds. When confronted and asked if he saw the sign, he reply, "Oh, I authorized myself."). I have some highly intelligent friends who claim that "My touching the sculpture does no damage. They just like to control everyone." An intriguing sign explaining they shouldn't touch might have stopped them before I had to say something to them. One that caught my eye was in the Louvre in Paris which stated 4 or 5 times "Do Not Touch Artwork" (or something like that in French and I think an occasional one in English), but each time it said it, it was more deteriorated (like the words had been eaten away). It caused me to take a close look at the sign and accompanying information. I saw few people touching the exhibits. 

Just my two cents as a museum attendee.

Angela Putney, Ph.D.
Physics Management Fellow
American Institute of Physics
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740

Phone: 301-209-3135
Fax:      301-209-3133
E-mail: [log in to unmask]