Loans, Donations and Bequests to the Museums

 

Dudley Museums Service has a written Acquisitions Policy, which formed part of the application for Registered Museum Status. There are different acquisitions policies for each of our three major collections:

 

Any offers to donate, loan or bequeath items to the collection are considered in the light of these policies.

 

If you have an object which you think may be of interest to us, you will need to make an appointment with the relevant curator so that the object can be assessed.  We will then make a decision based on our acquisition policy and on whether the item will make a significant contribution to our collections and displays. 

 

The Museums Service will consider accepting items on long-term loan, although outright acquisition is always preferable as it saves on paperwork!

Loans are normally made for a fixed period up to a maximum of five years and can then be returned or re-negotiated once the initial loan period is over.  A Loan Agreement Form will need to be completed.   

 

Donations 

Once a donation has been agreed, the Curator will complete an Object Entry Form, which the donor will be asked to sign.  This confirms that the donor has undisputed title to the object and full power to dispose of it to the Museum. 

 

Bequests 

Should you wish to make a bequest, please contact the relevant Curator beforehand so that the nature of the bequest can be discussed.