On Thu, 20 Apr 2000 12:54:04 -0700 Cathy Westfeldt
<[log in to unmask]> writes:
> Dear Listerservers:
> I had an interesting question come my way today - one for which I
> don't have an answer. The Capitol Building here in Salem gives a great
> many tours which includes showing all their wonderful murals. They want

> to  start having their tour guides use laser pointers on the murals
> during the tours........

I think that like flashbulbs, a laser light might be improperly directed
to a visitor thus causing discomfort and momentary disorientation.
Furthermore (unlike flashbulbs) you might even cause damage (unless it's
an urban myth, don't they say you can suffer eye damage if a laser light
is pointed directly at the retina?)!

There's also the other argument about police enforcement who use laser
lights for targeting objects; some security guard at the Capitol (or
Capitol police) might think someone has a weapon if they see the little
red light flitting around the murals.

It's hard to say for me, as we have not had that discussion here; I've
seen laser lights used in AV presentations at large conventions, but
normally it's someone on a stage with distance between himself and the
audience, pointing to a screen.  Perhaps if this kind of distance is
present between the tour guide and the public you may have no problems.
However, as you might suspect, the laser light directly on murals would
cause problems over the long haul.  Any light conservators out there care
to weigh in?

If only for the inconvenience caused to other guests, you may want to
discontinue the laser pointer idea.

O

Olivia S. Anastasiadis, Curator
Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd.
Yorba Linda, CA  92886
(714) 993-5075 ext. 224; (714) 528-0544

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