Policies

Access to the Collections and Records

It is fundamental to the UNIM mission to provide access to the collections and promote appreciation of its significance to the university. Because of this, all responsible parties shall have access to the collections for legitimate research and study. These parties will be subject to procedures necessary to safeguard the collections and to the limitations of normal opening hours, exhibition requirements, available study space, and staff time. For more information, please see our Collection Management Policy. 

UNI Museum

General Information

  1. The safety of the collections is the primary concern – Access can be limited if an argument can be made for an object's safety. In this situation, the UNIM will make efforts to provide alternative means to view the object including digital photographs and/or scans.
  2.  Individuals requesting access to the acquisitions records or collections must state in writing the purpose of their inquiries. Access shall be limited to legitimate scholarly and legal inquiry. The staff is under no obligation to facilitate searches that, in their judgment, may be primarily for purposes of monetary gain.
  3. Requests for anonymity by donors will be honored, but only if this does not obscure the provenience of objects.
  4. Costs of reproducing documentary materials or photographs of collections may be charged to applicants. No distinctions in such charges shall be made on the basis of the value or rarity of the original materials. Methods of reproduction may be limited if necessary to protect the originals from possible damage. 
  5. Royalties or reproduction fees may be charged where deemed appropriate by the Curator.
  6. Except as specified above and as necessary to maintain the State of Iowa’s property rights, the UNIM shall not restrict publication of their materials for any non-commercial, scholarly or educational purposes.