Lending Distinctive Collections

Learn the ins and outs of loan registration for library exhibits.



Increasingly, academic and public libraries are turning to exhibitions as dynamic ways to engage readers and showcase collections. Despite deep holdings, libraries often find they need to borrow materials to complete a show, and some libraries host traveling exhibitions borrowed entirely from other institutions. Frequently, these materials are of historical significance or high monetary value and require legal contracts specifying loan registration terms such as insurance, fine art handling, shipping, conservation restrictions, and, in some cases, international customs documentation.



Through exhibitions, librarians are taking on loan registration duties, yet many have not been formally trained. This book is designed for librarians responsible for exhibition loans and provides practical guidance for starting or formalizing a loan program. It covers the fundamentals of loan registration and provides additional resources for more complex loan situations. This book brings together essential guidance and registration best practices for distinctive collections loans, offering a clear, scalable framework for libraries of all types.