>In recent discussions regarding a loan of ethnographic baskets to another
>state museum, I was asked if we charge a loan fee.  I was also told that
>this is quite common.  Is this true?  In your experience, what does the fee
>cover -- processing, documentation, packing, shipping?  How much is
>charged, and is it assessed per item?  Does this apply equally to "public"
>and private institutions (my vantage point is that of a state university
>museum)?

We don't charge a "loan fee" but we do require that the borrowing
institution pay for an appraisal, packing, shipping and insurance.