Here's are votes for either side of the question.  Personally, I wear
     gloves when handling almost any part of our collection (stone, glass
     and ceramics excluded).  However, I am aware that the Glenbow Archives
     here in Calgary do not wear gloves when handling historic documents.
     Their thinking is that hands made clumsy by gloves cause more damage
     (tears, creases, etc.) than clean, ungloved hands.


     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Tim McShane
     Curatorial Assistant, Parks Canada
     (also, Co-Chair of the Museum Division, Arrow 2000 Project)

     Views and opinions expressed are entirely my own, and do not
     necessarily reflect those of Parks Canada or the Arrow 2000 Project
     Association



______________________________ Reply Separator ____________________________
_____
Subject: Use gloves with paper?
Author:  Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> (Stephen
Ringle
<[log in to unmask]>) at PCH
Date:    1/25/99 5:04 PM





 Greetings to all.

 What's the consensus on wearing gloves when handling
 unmounted works on paper?  I've always just washed my hands.
 Finding gloves to fit my very large hands has always been a
 hassle.  I am eager to know of policies, or established paractices,
 at other museums.  If you have a conservator at your Museum,
 please pass this on for their reply.  Thanks.  -Steve

   ============================================================
   Stephen B. Ringle, Registrar             [log in to unmask]
   University of Maine Museum of Art
   5712 Carnegie Hall, Room 109              vox: 207-581-3257
   Orono, Maine   04469-5712                 fax: 207-581-3083
   ============================================================