Interesting topic, and very timely for us, too. At the University of Alaska Museum, I have just last week developed a policy for access to the computerized data base of archaeology and ethnology accessions. We do not distribute data via files on floppy disk. This removes the data from our control and since, much of tha data involves sensitive issues with regard to repatriation, we cannot allow this kind of distribution. However, we do allow access to the database by researchers who come to the Museum and use the computer systrem here. We have a terminal dedicated to "public" access, meaning those with permission from the Archaeology Curator. Access on this terminal is restricted to non-senstive fields by the internal structure of the data base. Users of the data base request reports on the specific records of interest andstaff help search and compile those reports. The reports can be taken from the Museum in printed or electronic form. In order for a researcher to gain access to the database records, he/she must sign an agreement acknowledging and agreeing to restrictions on use and dissemination of the data and absolving the Museum from any inaccuracies found in the data. We also stress that data within the database is not primary data and must not be used as a substitute for examination of the specimans from thecollections. So far we've had no probelms with thsi policy. We strive to make access to thedata base as painless as possible for researchers at the same time maintaining the control over the data tha we require. Mike Lewis Research Assistant University of Alaska Museum