We begin many tours, especially school tours, with a conversation about
what a museum does - collect, care for and educate.  We discuss the no
touching rule then, explaining or asking the children to give us reasons
why they shouldn't touch the art. (this also works well with college
students1)
 We feel that treating our visitors
with respect and explaining the reasons to them is more polite than stark
rules. They then become equals with the staff in taking care of the art.
With children, a discussion which involves their participation is
a better way of getting them to remember and follow the rules.
Kathrine Walker Schlageck
Beach Museum of Art
Kansas State University
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