Collections Policies

The museum balances the benefits of access with the duties to preserve and provide appropriate care in fulfillment of its mission and the mission of Yale University. Access to collections is at the discretion of the Curator or designee (e.g. collection manager). Access to fragile or culturally sensitive materials may be restricted.

Those granted access to the collections are expected to act ethically, responsibly, and respectfully throughout their engagement with both museum collections and museum staff. This includes following all relevant local, state, and federal laws; University policies and safety guidelines; and instructions of museum staff, including culturally responsive care guidelines. Rights granted to a user may not be transferred to other parties without express written permission by the museum. Access to collections may be denied (or the right of access revoked) if any person acts contrary to these policies.

Collections Use and Access

If you are interested in visiting the collections, please contact the appropriate divisional collection manager. Collections staff are generally available during M-F, 8:30am-5:00pm. If you require any special services such as preparation, heavy lifting, access to exhibits, or special equipment, please indicate this in advance.

Use of museum materials must be acknowledged in all resulting publications, reports, presentations, or GenBank submissions using the following format: YPM PREFIX 012345. While the museum aims to remove physical and digital barriers to collections access, the museum reserves the right to restrict access to sensitive information such as the identity of donors, valuations, storage locations, locality data, or other culturally sensitive information. The museum reserves the right to restrict the use or publication of images of collections or other museum documentation.

Loans

In furtherance of its mission, the museum accepts objects from outside parties and lends objects from its collection to other institutions. The museum does not issue loans to individuals. A loan is the temporary physical transfer of objects without transfer of ownership. All instances in which loaned objects are brought into the museum, or YPM items are loaned to other entities, must be covered by a written agreement.

Requests to borrow objects for research or exhibition should be made in writing to the appropriate curator or curatorial designee. Requests should include the following information: the purpose of the loan; a description of the material requested in as much detail as possible; and where, and under whose responsibility the objects will be housed while on loan.

Requests to Photograph in the Collections 

Requests to photograph in the collections should be directed to the appropriate divisional collection manager.

Commercial photography and filming requests should be directed to the Associated Director of Marketing and Communications.

Photography and filming may be prohibited in certain collections. Unusual requests will require approval from the appropriate curator or curatorial designee or, in their absence, from the Director. The museum reserves the right to withhold or withdraw permission to photograph on its premises.