Editing New Volunteer Training (section)

== Item donations ==
Visitors often ask or offer to donate historic items. If they ask “are you interested in __________?” the answer is always “yes;” ''we’re at least interested in evaluating the item''. We have a full '''[[collections management policy]]''' which provides specific details about donations, but the simple version is this:

* Have them fill out a Donations Form. These can be found on the black basket attached to the filing cabinet in the library. If we are out of Donations Forms, contact the director to have new ones printed.
* Gather as much information as possible about it. Who used it, when, where? Do you have a picture of that person? Do you know where it came from?
* Note the gift on your Shift Report.
* Place the item on the “incoming” shelf of the accession processing shelves, and leave the donation form with it.
* We do reserve the right to ''decline'' an item (it might be too big, heavy, dangerous, or costly to maintain) and may return it to the donor.
* All donations are permanent gifts into the public trust and ''cannot be reclaimed''. With this in mind, ensure the donor is well aware of this, and make sure they sign the Donation Form as well.
* We ''do not'' accept loaned items; they often cause problems down the road. If the donor has an extremely important artifact but only wants to loan it to the Museum, please call the Director immediately to discuss the situation.