Access
Research Request Form
Download the Research Request Form here (136k pdf)
Collections Access Policy
I. Introduction
The Ethnology & History Department welcomes appropriate use of all the collections
in its care. The Ethnology & History Department endeavors to encourage use of the
collections for research and education while ensuring the preservation of the collections
for future generations of scholars and students. Access to the ethnological & historic
collections is granted to researchers with clear research goals and institutional
affiliations for legitimate research and educational purposes only. Some of the specimens
in the collections are of a highly sensitive nature and access to these collections
may be restricted. Access to the collections is subject to the University of Alaska
Museum of the North (UAMN) Collections Management Policy and the Ethnology & History
Department Collections Access Policy.
II. Procedures
Researchers interested in accessing the collections should contact the Ethnology &
History Curator or Ethnology & History Collection Manager. After initial consultation,
which may include a site visit, the researcher must complete a Research Request form
and submit a written request to the Ethnology & History Curator prior to conducting
research. This provides a record for tracking research conducted on the collections
and a formal means for the Ethnology & History Curator to assess the appropriate use
of the collections.
Research Requests should be received at least 2 weeks prior to the expected visit.
Visits scheduled on shorter notice and unscheduled visits will be considered on a
case-by-case basis depending on availability of staff and space. Research must be
conducted between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday, excluding University
holidays, unless special arrangements are made with the Ethnology & History Curator
or Ethnology & History Collection Manager.
III. Care and Preservation
It is the responsibility of all researchers to assist in the preservation of the collections.
The researcher agrees to observe access and security regulations relating to the use
of UAMN collections and study areas. The researcher agrees to observe curatorial guidelines
and restrictions for handling collections. The collections shall be given proper care
to ensure against loss, damage, or deterioration. The researcher will not remove tags,
repair, clean, alter, or restore objects without express written approval from UAMN.
IV. Costs
UAMN does not charge any fees for research conducted on the collections. No fees are
charged for copies of associated documentation or staff time.
V. Photography
All photography must be approved in advance. Photographs of collections may be taken
for non-profit, educational or research purposes. Permission to publish photos of
specimens must be arranged by separate agreement with the Ethnology & History Curator.
VI. Publication and Documentation
The researcher agrees to inform UAMN if research is to be published. The researcher
agrees to provide UAMN with a copy of any materials produced that are derived in part
or whole from research conducted at UAMN, including any materials which are produced
in fulfillment of educational requirements, or which are published for commercial
purposes, through broadcast, computer-digitized, or print media.
VII. Credit Line
For exhibition and publication, each object shall be credited to the University of
Alaska Museum of the North Ethnology & History Collection unless otherwise indicated.
VIII. Database
The Ethnology & History Collections Database is intended to support use of the collections,
not to replace use of the collections themselves. It is the first step in the process
of research and an important tool for organization of data prior to primary data gathering.
In many cases, the data contained in the database may be incomplete or in error. It
is the responsibility of the researcher to verify catalog entry identification and
associated information before reporting data from the database in any form.
IX. Students
Students are subject to the same collections access policies and procedures as other
researchers. Research requests from students must be accompanied by a letter of support
from the student’s advisor.
X. Special Conditions
Special conditions for access may be placed on certain collections.
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