Just a few points regarding this (free = worthless) (?) discussion. We four children were taken to libraries and museums practically from birth, and as a result of being indoctrinated thusly into our parents' value systems we don't know any better than to value museums and books. (I was also kept quiet as an infant by the playing of the Brandenburg Concerti, and therefore have had to maintain a love of classical music in the face of a hostile world.) As far as not valuing something because it is free or cheap, the basic problem there is that how much it costs is the only criterion most of society has been equipped with for evaluation. If a society is not taught from birth to value time, training, craftsmanship, skill, practice, tradition, any and all of the trappings of history and culture, then sure, the mall will win out over the museum every time. But shucks, now you're going to ask me what to do about all this, and gosh darn, I just don't have any answers that won't take generations to put into practice. And by then will the world have changed beyond all recognition and none of this matter any more? Anne Lane Curatorial Assistant Museum of York County 4621 Mt. Gallant Road Rock Hill, SC 29732-9905 803-329-2121 ext 122 * [log in to unmask]