University of Alaska Museum Bird Collection

Loan Policies

Traditional specimens (skins and skeletons) are regularly loaned to qualified researchers at other institutions. Preliminary inquiries should be made by mail or email to ascertain whether the collection has useful material. Requests to borrow material should summarize the purpose of the study and be sent on institutional letterhead or by formal email. Requests from student researchers should be cosigned by their advisor or the curator responsible for overseeing the use and temporary housing of the specimens while on loan.

Use of specimens involving sample destruction, whether of tissue samples or of traditional specimens, should consult our Destructive Sampling Policies. Requests for data should follow guidelines given in Arctos. All of these policies relate to noncommercial research uses of specimens and data. Those desiring to use specimens or data for commercial purposes should contact the curator.

Loan Conditions for Traditional Specimens

The length of each loan is normally six months, although longer periods and loan extensions may be requested in writing. Loaned specimens cannot be forwarded or transferred to other institutions or individuals without the written permission of the University of Alaska Museum curator.

Specimens on loan must be housed under appropriate professional, museum-quality conditions and security. Specimens must be handled using professional standards that prevent damage and/or exposure to insects, dirt, sunlight, extremes of temperature and humidity, etc. Specimens may not be relaxed, repaired, dissected, or altered in any way. Pieces may not be removed for analyses. Destructive sampling requests must be made separately if pieces of traditional specimens are desired for analysis. Specimens are the responsibility of the borrower until returned to and received by the University of Alaska Museum. Suggested taxonomic changes should be communicated to the curator in writing.

Specimens must be returned as originally sent: packed properly, with an inventory enclosed, and insured for the amount at which they were sent. The same or equivalent shipping method must be employed. The costs of return shipping and insurance are the responsibility of the borrower.

The University of Alaska Museum must receive acknowledgment in any publications or reports that include results obtained from use of UAM specimens. Authors should also send a copy of any publications to the curator.