There is one example I remember - depending on how much "background
information", if at all, one aims to present - which I like very much.
Has been published by the Museum Association Security Committee some
years ago:

Why we ask you not to touch...
We hope your grandchildren - and their grandchildren too - will someday
visit Museums.
We hope the fine works of art you are enjoying will be here for them to
see in the future, in just as fine condition as they are today.
Which is why we ask you not to touch.
A painting is fragile and may be damaged forever by the gentlest touch.
In fact, most damage is caused by innocent touches. Your touch may not
seem like much but a million visitors´ touches will destroy a painting.
Sculpure is not as sturdy as it looks. The tiny trace of moisture from
your finger can, in time, strip the rich surface from bronze and rust
the strongest steel. Fingernails and rings will, in time, gouge deep
furrows in stone or wood. Handled carelessly, glass will crack and
plaster will break.
Please help us preserve your Museum´s collection:
Please, don´t touch.

Florian Schwemer
Conservator

Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen
Doerner-Institut
Barerstrasse 29
D-80799 München
Germany


-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Im
Auftrag von Frances Katchmer
Gesendet: Montag, 25. Februar 2002 19:05
An: [log in to unmask]
Betreff: Please do not touch signs

Dear listers,
I'm looking for wording for a "why we ask you not to touch" sign.  Does
anyone have any examples/suggestions?

Thanks in advance
Fran Katchmer
LSU Museum of Art

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