In article <[log in to unmask]>, "BRENINGER, Leah" <[log in to unmask]> says: > > Long term loan would be the >option they would be considering. We are reluctant to enter into long >term loans for all the usual reasons. While it is certainly true that long-term loans are not the best idea for museums to get into, I believe that a difference can be drawn between long- term loans from individuals (such as what small historical societies do all the time) and long-term loans from organizations. What you need to do is to draw up an agreement/contract for this specific situation, which spells out control of the objects, exhibition, loan, reproduction rights, conservation, costs, AND what happens in the event that either group ceases to exist. We are currently entering into such an arrangement with a group for an object that they are interested in depositing with us. Although they have set some restrictions on our use of this object, by and large, the restrictions are something that we can live with. If you are really good at negotiating, you can also put some- thing in the agreement that would spell out exactly under what circumstances you would get the banners as a gift. The other thing you need to do is make sure the agreement has a fixed term and must be renewed by the parties--and follow up. Otherwise, you are left with the same kind of long-term loan that we go out of our way to avoid. Good luck. Claudia Nicholson Curator of Collections Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society Pierre [log in to unmask]