Here at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, we have fallen into the "tradition" of loaning paintings from our collection for display in the offices of elected officials up the street at the State Capitol and occasionally to various civil service offices in Madison. All of these loans are "exceptions" to the collections policy, being made to individuals and not to qualified museums or educational institutions. The Capitol does not have adequate climate or UV controls, nor is there any security for the paintings aside from the presence of legislative and other staff in these offices. I have been asked to find out what other institutions have done to end/change/mitigate such practices. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who is in a similar situation: where loans have been made to those who ultimately hold the museum's purse strings, whether on a municipal, state or federal level. I know that the Minnesota Historical Society has ceased lending original works of art to legislators in favor of a loan program of framed photographic prints. I have heard that various branches of the Smithsonian may loan works to art to federal legislators. Any truth to that? If this seems like an issue in which others are interested, post any replies to the list; if you feel otherwise, please send them to my own address. Doug Kendall, Curator of Domestic Life, Museum Division State Historical Society of Wisconsin 816 State St., Madison, WI 53706 (608)-264-6552; e-mail: [log in to unmask]