RE: Protocols regarding food and drink in rare book collections

[Mary McCan <library@wtu.edu>]

While dinners, cocktail parties and dances are carefully scripted for 
security and preservation reasons, museums do in fact conduct these events 
(candlelit, with restrictions on their placement and height) on a regular 
basis in the galleries.  The revenue allows them to stay in operation.  As 
an employee at such a museum, I have not yet observed or heard about any 
damages or potential damages.  The danger of damage due to inadequate funds 
to protect the collections and maintain the infrastructure (plumbing, 
wiring, etc.) is probably greater.

Mary McCan
Washington Theological Union Library
library@wtu.edu