export photos to "read only" status??

I have created albums of items, which then are sorted by maker, object and decoration. Each object has three albums placed in those folders by type. (Just as background.) In all there are about 300 albums sorted in each of those three areas. Within each of those three catagories are around 40 sub-folders as well.

People want to see them, and scroll around. I am happy to let them do this but don't want them to accidentally delete or alter the files or albums.

Is there a way to make them "read only" files so they couldn't accidentally mess them up? Should I export them to someplace, where they would still be searchable and browse-able (if that's a word)? And how would that be done?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Mark