Connecting to Collections Care

Does anyone use laser pointers while giving tours indoors? We are preparing our tour season and with CDC guidelines our guide and guest movement is restricted. I am looking for experience with laser pointers. Are they harmful, and if not, is green better than red? We will be using them at a distance of 8 to 10 feet so we are not heating up any surfaces. Thank you in advance for any help.

While I personally don't use laser pointers on tours, many of our docents do.  I believe the color difference has more to do with the range and "tightness" of the beam, rather than any other properties.  It's not really a problem artifact-wise.  However, we've had to implement policies about NOT using the pointers directly on people or on work they are doing.  I once had to get a docent dismissed because he repeatedly – after warnings – used his laser pointer not only on me and my colleagues, but on our hands and the work we were doing at eye level.  (At the time, we were working in public view.) 

I'll also note that some people need to actively practice aiming with their pointer.  We've had docents whose light waves about wildly, which at best isn't helpful for the tour, and at worst distracting to others working and touring nearby.

 

I strongly recommend having written policies that anyone using a pointer must review and agree to.  They should include things like not pointing at people/living things (well, I guess plants are OK), not pointing into an area where someone is actively working or moving, and other safety tips.  Also, strongly recommend "target practice" with their pointers prior to touring.

 

Jeannie C. Whited (she/her)

Museum Specialist, Collections Division

National Air and Space Museum

14390 Air and Space Musem Pkwy

Chantilly, VA 20151

703-572-4002   whitedj@si.edu

 

I appreciate your comments. You have mentioned several that will be very helpful, the "target practice" one in particular. I will add to that, to have docents/guides keep the pointer on the item/exhibit for a minimum time necessary. It seems the longer the "dwell time", the more shaky the dot becomes. And that will be distracting. The docent/guide can light up the item again.