We include a line on our Gift Agreement asking the donor to indicate how
they would like the credit line to read on exhibit labels.  This gives them
the opportunity to donate something in honor of someone else or in memory
of . . . or to request anonymity.  We always indicate the donor of an
artifact on exhibit labels, unless asked not to do so, with a line to the
effect of, "Gift of . . ."  This not only makes donors feel good about
giving the item to us, it also increases interest in the object and the
exhibit since we are located in a relatively small town and it is likely
that visitors will recognize their neighbor's, physician's, or teacher's
name on the label!

As a side note, we also indicate lenders with a similar, "On Loan from . .
." line.  In most loan cases though, we aren't given the name of the donor
so that is missing from the label.  An interesting problem, perhaps we
should start asking more specifically about this.  What do others think?

Cris Wolf Harper

Collections Manager                     [log in to unmask]
UIHC Medical Museum                     (319) 356-8475 voice
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
8014 RCP  200 Hawkins Dr.
Iowa City, IA  52242
http://www.vh.org/Welcome/UIHC/MedMuseum.html