Some exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution have already been damaged and collectors are becoming unwilling to lend items for display because of deteriorating buildings and a lack of security, according to a report released Friday by the Government Accountability Office.
The world’s largest museum complex and its research organizations have been under increasing scrutiny after it was discovered this year the Smithsonian’s head had spent $90,000 in unauthorized expenses and charged the institution more than $1 million to use his mansion for official functions.
Among the findings by the GAO study:
* The National Zoo’s sea lion and seal pools were leaking 110,000 gallons of water a day, increasing the water bill by nearly $300,000 annually.
* A lack of humidity and temperature control at the National Air and Space Museum has caused corrosion to historic airplanes.
* Power-capacity issues at the Air and Space Museum have forced to close galleries to visitors.
The 84-page report blames the problems on funding challenges and estimates that the Smithsonian’s current fundraising plan won’t cover the $2.3 billion in facilities projects budgeted through 2013.
The 160-year-old institution relies too heavily on public dollars to pay for the capital projects, the report said, and recommends the organization include privately funded projects in the capital plan. It also suggested that the museum consider charging entrance fees.
“That’s not going to happen,” said spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas.
Funding constraints have threatened the Smithsonian’s security, the report said. The two most visited museums have experienced a 31 percent decrease in security officers since 2003.
Museum directors said it had become more difficult to acquire collections on loan because the lenders are worried about the lack of protection.
St. Thomas said the museum has a good record of preventing vandalism of collections. The Smithsonian had 35 instances of vandalism in 2 1/2 years, 23 million visitors and 18 museums.
The museum has plans to hire more uniformed gallery attendants and has hired a firm to study where the armed security guards are best located.
