Original Objects in Hands-on Exhibits

Objects on open display are potentially at risk. To keep the objects safe.

Use niches to sit objects in enables you to see easily if an object is missing and provide extra protection to the objects.
Completely fixing small objects down may make them more liable to damage if people attempt to pick them up.
Spring tensioned tethers allow objects to be picked up and handled but not removed.
Clear sight lines in the gallery allow objects to be observed by gallery staff, and carers can see their younger children at different activity stations.
Placing objects in cages or booths prevents them from being completely removed and protects them from breakage.

To encourage object handling you could try some of the following ideas.

Create a separate handling area or gallery.
Ensure that staff are available to encourage people to handle the right objects and not touch the potentially vulnerable ones.
Provide clear labels to show which objects can be handled.
Pictograms are better than labels, e.g. hand sign for yes, cross for no.

To ensure conservation of objects used for handling each object will need to be assessed individually. The following points could help to safeguard your objects while at the same time allowing people to handle them.

Objects vulnerable from handling could be placed on display for a limited time period or be rotated.
Use display materials known to be chemically inert.
Encourage hand washing (providing that the facility for this is close by and signage is adequate).
Check objects regularly.
Ensure that exhibitions are adequately staffed.

Downloads

Guidelines for Establishing, Managing and Using Handling Collections and Hands on Exhibits in Museums (Val Munday, MLA. Word DOC, 350Kb).

Gallery Discovery Boxes (Banbury. Word DOC, 44Kb). A different approach to activities for schools in galleries.

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Original Objects in Hands-on Exhibits

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