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RULES OF DECORUM
GOVERN VISITOR
DEPORTMENT IN YOUR
MUSEUM
By Steven R. Keller, CPP
Steve Keller is a security
consultant specializing in
museums, cultural institutions
and historic sites with
headquarters at
555 Granada Blvd.
Suite G-3
Ormond Beach, Florida
32174
Tel. (386) 673-5034
Fax. (386) 673-5208
E-Mail [email protected]
It is important that your museum
staff know and understand the
interpretations for your Rules of
Decorum. Many things which are not
permitted in a museum are legal
under the law. Therefore, it is
necessary that the museum have a
list of house rules governing visitor
deportment.
The security and visitor service
people on your staff, if they are to be
the eyes and ears for sound security,
must know the rules. Enforcement of
minor rules are the responsibility of
every employee, but enforcement of
major rules can be left to security
guards.
Listed belo w are some rules
suggested for a museum. You may
make rules which apply to your
setting. Remember that a city law
defining disorderly conduct may
define it as loud, boisterous AND
obscene language. Your rule may
wish to address people who are
simply loud and boisterous or simply
obscene. Be sure that all of your staff
understands that rules are not laws.
You may not legally arrest someone
for violating a rule. You may ask them
to leave, and if they refuse, have them
arrested for failure to do so. Be sure
that your people all understand the
distinction between rules and laws.
Here are some rules:
1. No food or drink is permitted
outside food service areas.
2. Bag lunches may be eaten in
the lunch room only and not
in the cafe.
3. Youth under 18 are not
permitted to ride elevators
unless they are with an adult.
4. Smoking is not permitted in
the building.
5. Radios, tape players or
televisions are not permitted
without headphones. Volume
must be such that others
cannot hear the sound.
6. Guards and Visitor Service
staff may restrict parcels that,
in their sole opinion, are
oversized or dangerous.
7. All parcels are subject to
You may use this material for your own use, but please retain the copyright notice.
Copyright 1988, 1994 by Steven R Keller and Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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search at any time. This is a
condition of entry into the
building.
8. Bikes must be parked in the
bike rack.
9. Running is not permitted.
Pushing or shoving is not
permitted.
10. There is to be no loitering or
assembly of groups who are
not using the museum for its
intended purpose.
11. Disorderly or disruptive
language or actions are
prohibited.
12. Use of cameras require a
camera permit. Photos are
not permitted where
prohibited on the "Rules for
Photographers."
Photography is for noncommercial purposes.
13. Visitors must be properly
attired including shoes and
shirts.
14. Littering is not permitted.
15. Touching of collection
objects is not permitted.
prior to museum closing.
18. Umbrellas and other items
that can damage works of
art may not be carried into
the galleries. They must be
checked at the coat room.
19. Backpacks and rigid baby
carriers may not be carried
on the back into galleries.
20. Guards and Visitor Aides
have the authority to close
areas for any reason. Please
obey their instructions.
21. Copyists wishing to copy
works of art must register
with the Registrar and obtain
permission subject to Rules
for Copyists.
Rules of Decorum should be
posted and published according to
the laws of your state. Consult your
attorney. Most museums post them
at the admissions booth and publish
them annually in the membership
bulletin or museum newsletter. How
your people enforce the rules is
important. They should be pleasant,
but firm when necessary. Visitor
services personnel can contribute
greatly to the security program by
helping security to enforce the rules
of decorum.
16. Posted instructions are to be
obeyed (areas closed,
restroom gender
designations, keep out, staff
only, etc.).
17. Galleries close 15 minutes
You may use this material for your own use, but please retain the copyright notice.
Copyright 1988, 1994 by Steven R Keller and Associates, Inc. All Rights Reserved