Information for Prospective Borrowers for Research Purposes

Tucson, Arizona 85721 520-621-6281 FAX 520-621-2976

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE BORROWERS FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES

Arizona State Museum collections are available for research purposes at other institutions through loan. The following information is provided to potential borrowers to familiarize them with Museum procedures and expectations.

 The Museum loans specimens only to other institutions, not to individuals without institutional affiliation. The institution must assume responsibility for the loan, and the individuals requesting the loan and signing the loan agreement must be fully authorized to act on behalf of their institution in doing so.  Loans are granted for specified periods of time, normally for a maximum of one year. Loans may be extended for additional periods of up to one year.  Prospective borrowers must complete a Research Loan Request or Destructive Sampling Request and return it to the Curator of Collections. Information must be as complete as possible to avoid delay in approving and carrying out the loan. If complete, the loan request normally will be reviewed by the Museum’s Collections Division on the Monday following its receipt.  All requests for loans must be received by the Museum Curator of Collections no less that four weeks prior to the actual loan date. Additional time may be required if: (1) the loan involves numerous objects, (2) the objects require conservation treatment, (3) the objects are being subjected to high risk, (4) unusual packing or shipping arrangements are required, or (5) the Museum curatorial staff must research and select appropriate material for the loan request because the prospective borrower is unable to or has not done so.  It is expected that objects will be stored in secure areas and that environmental conditions will be appropriate for the objects borrowed.  No destructive testing, sampling, use, or alteration of Museum specimens is permitted without prior written permission of the Museum Curator of Collections.  All samples and any portions thereof not destroyed during analysis must be returned to the Museum. The researcher/borrower must supply the Museum with sample control numbers, if those are different from the Museum’s specimen numbers.  The researcher/borrower must supply the Museum with copies of the raw data, as well as any reports, publications, or unpublished manuscripts which include or refer to the borrowed material.  The following points are considered by Museum staff in evaluating a loan request:  potential benefits to the profession and the public of the expected results of the research  scientific, historic and aesthetic value of specimens requested, taking into account their rarity and replaceability  environmental conditions and security to be provided by the borrower both in transit and at the borrower’s premises  use of commonly accepted museum procedures for the care and handling of museum collections at the borrowing institution  the condition of requested loan objects and the amount and nature of conservation treatment required  feasibility of providing proper packing and shipping for loan objects  monetary value of specimens requested and ability of the borrower to assume all risk  available staff time to prepare loan  The borrower will be informed when the loan is approved by the appropriate Collections Curator (Archaeology, Ethnology or Photography). All further correspondence and discussion concerning the content of the loan should be directed to this individual.  All subsequent correspondence concerning the terms of the loan agreement, insurance, packing and shipping should be directed to the Museum Registrar.  The borrowing institution must agree to complete, sign and abide by the Museum’s loan agreement. The cost of shipping and insurance is normally borne by the borrower. In some cases, borrowers may also be asked to reimburse the Museum for packing, conservation treatment, loan processing and other services.

Museum staff members are available for consultation regarding loan requests. Potential borrowers are encouraged to make early contact with Museum staff to make sure that loan requests, once finalized, will be feasible.

Curator of Collections Suzanne Griset, Ph.D. 621-6276 [email protected] Museum Registrar Mark Cattanach 626-8742 [email protected] Conservator Nancy Odegaard, Ph.D. 621-6314 [email protected] Archaeological Collections Curator Mike Jacobs 621-6312 [email protected] Bioarchaeology Collections Curator Lane Beck, Ph.D. 626-5579 [email protected] Ethnological Collections Curator Diane Dittemore 621-2079 [email protected] Photographic Collections Curator Susan Luebbermann 621-2445 [email protected] Repository Collections Curator Arthur Vokes 626-9109 [email protected]