Regarding exhibit drawers: A few years ago we wanted to add such drawers below our lithics exhibit, so that we could provide larger numbers of examples for comparison with the stone tools in the display. After investigating a number of sources, we ended up with commercial steel drawer units from Equipto, rather than going with the very similar items from museum supply sources--which would have cost about three times as much as the Equipto units. These storage units are commonly used in industry to house all the little widgets-bits that are put together in factories. There is a metal ridge around the inside of each drawer, on which we simply placed a piece of heavy plexiglas, cut to fit exactly--no locking or securing is needed, because there's no way to get hold of the plexi and get it out, except with suction cups. The only issue we have run into is that younger kids get a charge out of slamming the drawers back after they look, so we have had to seat the artifacts fairly deeply in cloth-covered ethafoam to keep them in place--and also read the riot act to some classroom teachers who have less-than-perfect classroom management skills with their students. My curator says she has seen units that have shock absorbers to slow the drawers when they are returned to position--at the NMAI; most of us don't have that kind of money.... ================== Hello, The Museum of Anthropology at University of British Columbia has these types of "exhibit drawers" and have had for many years. They may be a good source for you. Be sure and let us know the results! Lisa Forman Hudson Conservation Studio Los Angeles, CA ********************************************************************** * Michael R. Sawdey, Ph.D. * * Executive Director, The Schingoethe Center, Aurora University * * University Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies * * Dunham Hall 002, 347 S. Gladstone, Aurora, IL 60506-4892 * * 630-844-5656 FAX: 630-844-8884 [log in to unmask] * ********************************************************** ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).