Pro-bono refininshing project

["Tim Bunton" <tbunton@zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

My dear stone brothers (and sisters),
In the spirit of Christmas, I have decided to offer my services restoring a life-size alabaster statue which has been on display at my public library for the last 30 years. I will be doing some repolishing and some light rasping of some of the large scratches which have been left in the soft stone over the years, as well as removing the generations of grime that have accumulated from admiring hands over the years.  Plus, I think someone repeatedly stabbed the poor statue's head with a pen.

I need some guidance though as to how to protect myself from liability issues, etc.  Any suggestions as to what should be put in writing before I start the restoration project?

There are several large bruises on the stone where it was run into with a book cart....I could rework the surface to remove the bruised stone, but don't really want to alter the volumes defined by the original artist.  Do any professional sculpture restorers out there have an opinion on how far to take a "restoration" project?

Lastly, this sculpture is located indoors, in a place where it will continue to be touched often by admirers, regardless of a do-not-touch sign.  Is there something I should treat the alabaster with to help it stand up to finger oils, or to give it a little more resistance to light scratches?

I deeply appreciate the stone lister's input on this matter.

-Tim Bunton