Loans: Vertebrate Collections

Catalogued fossil specimens are available for loan request by accredited scholars of educational and research institutions, upon approval from the staff of the Division of Paleontology. Loans are made to the borrower's institution, under the purview of a permanent staff member. Loans for students are made out to their advisors or to another responsible staff member of the institution. If an individual is known to have lost or mistreated specimens in the past, that individual may be denied further use of the collection. Loan Material must never be transferred to a third party (within or outside the AMNH), as all loans must be closed out and returned to the AMNH before a new loan is initiated.

Applying for a Loan

Requests for loans usually require a formal request by email to the appropriate Curator-in-charge. Under certain circumstances (for example, where borrowers are not known to the institution), a supporting reference may be requested.

Curators-in-Charge

Specimen Availability

Only cataloged specimens can be loaned. In general, the Division of Paleontology does not loan type specimens, unless under extraordinary circumstances, and at the discretion of the Curator-in-charge or Division Chair (in such cases, restrictions may be placed on the duration of the loan and the method of shipment, and the borrower may be required to insure the specimen during transit).

Duration

Research loans are typically made for no more than six months; specimens intended for scanning are typically loaned for one month. Loans are considered due for return once the period of the loan has lapsed. Persistent failure to return overdue loan material may be grounds for the withdrawal of the borrower's right to use the collection. Under extreme circumstances, such as failure of the borrower's home institution to act to ensure the return of the material, and at the discretion of the Divisional Chair, withdrawal of privileges may be extended to cover all staff and students of the borrower's institution. Further action, including legal proceedings, may be undertaken if necessary.

Standard Restrictions

Interventive Work (Preparation, Molding or Casting, or Destructive Sampling)

Any interventive work (such as preparation, molding or casting, or destructive sampling) on loaned specimen(s) is strictly prohibited. Such work is only permissible with advance, written permission from AMNH. The process for requesting and granting such permission is covered in the destructive sampling and preparation section of this website. Carrying out preparation or destructive sampling on a borrowed specimen without permission may be grounds for revocation of any further AMNH specimen access.

Photography

Generation of 3D Data

Credit

The AMNH Department of Vertebrate Paleontology should be given appropriate credit in any publications and databases drawing on the loaned specimens. Publications in which the specimen(s) appear should be sent to the Department. Failure to credit the Department may result in loss of future borrowing privileges. Please review these guidelines on the citation of AMNH catalog numbers.

Loans are made solely at the discretion of the AMNH, and can be terminated or otherwise recalled at any time by the Museum, for any reason. In such cases, the Museum will endeavor to give a minimum period of 2 weeks notice.

Collection	Curator-in-Charge
Fossil Amphibians, Reptiles, and Birds	Dr. Roger Benson [email protected]
Fossil Mammals	Dr. Meng Jin [email protected]
Fossil Fish	Dr. John Maisey [email protected]
VP Archives	Dr. Michael Novacek [email protected]