Botany Collections Access Policies

Milwaukee Public Museum Herbarium (MIL) Visitors

The Milwaukee Public Museum Herbarium (MIL) supports and encourages the use of the collections for research, educational, and exhibition purposes. Any reasonable and appropriate request for access is considered. Given the significance and sensitivity of the collections access, publication, and other uses of the herbarium’s collections and related documentation are governed by the following guidelines:

Availability of collections and documentation for research is determined by museum staff and is subject to the condition of the materials, applicable state and federal laws (including copyright), donor restrictions, and consideration of issues of environmental sensitivity. Some materials, such as objects on loan, on exhibit, in process of conservation, or currently in use by other researchers, may be unavailable for study at any given point. Access is granted solely at the discretion of the supervising curator. Times of access to collections are restricted to between 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday. Access cannot be granted on evenings or weekends. Unsupervised access to collections areas is not permitted and no one under 18 is allowed.

Visitors are asked to make written (e-mailed) application at least three weeks, but preferably six weeks, in advance of their visit with the curator in charge of the collection. In your message please describe the specific objects to be studied, the nature of the research being undertaken, the requested dates of access, and any special circumstances relating to the request. College or university students must have requests verified by a faculty member or other responsible professional. Walk-in access is not permitted, nor will such requests be considered by staff; only visitors having a confirmed appointment may be granted access to collections. Museum Visitor Assistants can either provide the name and number of a specific staff person with whom scheduled access can later be arranged, or the VA can attempt to contact the department by telephone so that the visitor can make arrangements directly with the appropriate staff person.

The Museum accepts requests to grant the right to use and reproduce material in its collections or for which it holds copyright, and reserves the right to determine appropriate charges for such use. Publication of any material requires written permission from the Museum and any holders of the copyright where necessary. Field notes and research notes made during MPM supported research and fieldwork are generally regarded as the property of the Museum, but clarification on this issue may be required in particular instances, and should be requested well in advance. All requests for use of copyrighted material must be authorized by both the supervising curator for the collection involved and the MPM Senior Vice President/Academic Dean.