Our museums and galleries house fascinating collections, from living bugs to The Beatles, fine art to photography, the Titanic to ancient Egypt.
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Our museums and galleries house fascinating collections, from living bugs to The Beatles, fine art to photography, the Titanic to ancient Egypt.
Museum Partnerships
Please note that National Museums Liverpool will not be considering loan requests received before January 2012.
1.1 National Museums Liverpool (NML) consists of eight museums covering the arts, natural and physical sciences, ethnology, antiquities, archaeology, archives, maritime history, social and urban history. Many items in our collections are of regional, national and international importance. We receive many requests for loan and are keen to maintain an active outward loans programme to fulfil such requests.
1.2 Our published catalogues - where available - provide the initial source for information for potential borrowers. Details of these can be obtained from the appropriate Divisional Registrar, Director, Head of Department or Curator and this website. General enquiries about loans should be directed to the Senior Registrar (Appendix 3).
2.1 NML wishes to meet loan requests whenever possible and processes many applications from both organisations and individuals every year. Loans are made for the following purposes:
2.2 Where items are lent for display, we would hope that the exhibition is attracting new audiences, is offering learning opportunities, and is authoritative in its interpretation.
2.3 We are particularly keen to make items from the collections available to the following (not in priority order):
2.4 We want our loans programme to help us achieve our vision for NML and enhance our profile as a socially inclusive, accessible, learning organisation (Appendix 2).
2.5 We consider requests for loans from all parts of the collections. Agreement will take into account the environmental and security conditions at the loan venue, the condition of the objects requested, and any related ethical issues.
3.1 We expect potential borrowers will fall into one of the following categories:
(a) museums and galleries;
(b) educational institutions;
(c) institutions with whom we have a partnership agreement;
(d) public and charitable bodies, including community organisations, for use in specific buildings and sites;
(e) bona fide individuals for the purposes of research and study;
(f) commercial organisations, for appropriate purposes.
3.2 Borrowers will need to demonstrate that they can provide the facilities (environmental, security etc.) to maintain the loaned items in appropriate conditions. Loans are not made to private individuals except as in (e) above.
3.3 Borrowers must be able to provide an undertaking that no objects in the exhibition or display are known or suspected to have been:
4.1 Loan requests should include information about the subject of the exhibition, other items being displayed, and how the requested item fits into the exhibition theme. Where possible the request should identify specific items in the collections including accession number, object or artist’s name and title.
4.2 Information about the venue should be included (preferably on the UKRG Facilities and Display Case questionnaires), along with the start and close date. In the case of a touring exhibition all venues and dates should be listed with the name of the organisation with overall responsibility for the loan. (UKRG questionnaires are available at http://ukrg.org/Index.php).
4.3 Potential borrowers are urged to provide as much information as possible at the point of making their formal request. We welcome preliminary discussions about the availability of particular items before a formal request is made.
5.1 We encourage research into our collections and are happy to consider requests for the loan of items for this purpose. Such loans may be for scientific and technical examination, chemical analysis, comparative work, illustration or educational purposes.
5.2 Researchers should substantiate their requests with a detailed description of their project/area of interest and how a study of our items will contribute to their research. References will be required for individuals not known to NML.
6.1 Occasionally we may find it necessary to refuse a loan request, for example,
6.2 We will provide a full explanation for any refusal, and are willing to work with potential borrowers to overcome environmental or display issues at their venues where this is the reason for refusal.
7.1 We reserve the right to recall any item from loan at any time, but will not normally do so unless in emergency or where the borrower fails to comply with our Standard Conditions for Loan.
8.1 We ask that requests for loans be made as early as possible, at least six months in advance of the required date. Where a number of items are asked for we need longer notice so that the items can be prepared and the loan processed. For loans overseas, a longer period of notice is necessary, at a minimum, nine months in advance of the date of the opening.
8.2 Loans from certain collections (mainly natural science) for research purposes can often be arranged at shorter notice; here we ask for at least one month’s notice.
8.3 NML also subscribes to the recommendations set out by the National Museums Directors Conference, in their publication, ‘Loans Between National and Non-national Museums. New Standards and Practical Guidelines.‘
8.4 We acknowledge requests for loan within three weeks of receiving the formal request and endeavour to make a decision within six weeks of the receipt of a satisfactory UKRG Facilities Report and the appropriate environmental charts. If we are unable to convey a decision within this timescale, we will inform the borrower of the reasons for the delay.
9.1 The borrower is responsible for all costs relating to the loan. We do not normally charge for the staff costs of preparing the loan. Other costs (such as crating etc.) will be identified at the time of agreeing the loan or as soon as they become available. In the event of a late cancellation of the loan by the borrower, we reserve the right to pass on any costs already incurred.
9.2 Although we do not normally charge for loan preparation that can be fitted into our work programmes, if expensive or lengthy conservation is required, we may have to ask borrowers to meet the cost of these treatments.
9.3 Loans made as part of a partnership or exhibition agreement may be subject to a separate agreement relating to costs.
10.1 There are circumstances when a courier will be required, for example, if,
10.2 The courier is our official representative and has the authority to withdraw the loan if, in his or her opinion, the handling and installation arrangements or environmental and security conditions do not meet those specified in the loan agreement or UKRG Facilities Report.
10.3 It is the responsibility of the borrower to pay the courier’s expenses including travel, accommodation and subsistence costs.
11.1 Initial enquiries for a loan should be directed to the relevant curator or registrar, and formal loan requests then sent to the appropriate Director (Appendix 3). In the case of institutions with whom NML has a partnership agreement, the approach for loan may be through the Head of Museum Partnerships or to the Head of Exhibitions if in relation to borrowing an NML exhibition. We reserve the right to ask for references for first-time borrowers (particularly in relation to research loans).
The Trustees of the National Museums Liverpool (NML) are custodians of collections for which there is a great demand, nationally and internationally, for loan.
These Standard Conditions for Loan are intended to provide a means by which the maximum number of loans may be made whilst minimising the physical deterioration of the objects themselves. They also allow NML to carry out its obligations to researchers and to maintain its displays and reference services.
NML is anxious to ensure that prospective borrowers fully understand these conditions and the terminology used in them.
Please contact the appropriate Divisional Registrar should there be any points that are not completely clear.
These Standard Conditions for Loan apply to all loans made for whatever reason from our collections. It is the borrower’s responsibility to ensure that they, their employees and their agents understand them and adhere to them.
We reserve the right to add to or change these conditions before the Loan Agreement is signed.
We reserve the right to cancel a loan at any time, but will not normally do so unless in emergency or where the borrower fails to comply with these Standard Conditions for Loan.
We must be notified immediately of any proposals to change the dates of the loan, or of any closures or changes at the borrowing institution, which affect the objects on loan.
NML must be publicly acknowledged as the owner of the item loaned. The Divisional Registrar managing the loan will provide the correct form of acknowledgement to be used on labels and in catalogues etc.
We request two copies of any relevant publications for our files.
At the end of the loan period, the borrower is asked to inform the Divisional Registrar of the number of people who visited the exhibition/display.
In cases where the loan has been made as part of a partnership agreement, the acknowledgement of the partnership will be required.
The borrower must meet all expenses connected with the loan. These include such things as insurance, preparation of the item for loan, frames, mounts, plinths or supports as required, packing and packing containers, transport, travel and subsistence for couriers, forwarding agents’ fees, photography and similar costs.
The premises where the objects are to be displayed or stored must be safe and secure. Requests for loans are submitted to the National Security Advisor who must be satisfied that security, fire and flood precautions are adequate before the loan is agreed.
We reserve the right to specify additional security measures, which the borrower must provide at their own cost.
Smoking, eating and drinking must not be permitted in the area where our loans are displayed or stored.
During the period of loan, objects must not be taken off display except in an emergency. They must not be touched, moved, cleaned, dismantled or otherwise interfered with, nor should display cases etc. be opened, without our written permission.
We ask borrowers to give all reasonable access to items on loan to staff, students and other persons recommended by us.
We must be notified immediately in the event of loss or damage to our loans or of any breach of security at the borrower’s venue. We expect any costs relating to loss or damage to be met by the borrower.
Items loaned for research rather than display should be kept in locked fireproof cabinets when not in use. Access should be limited only to authorised personnel.
If we have agreed to certain treatments in advance, the specimen/object and anything derived from it such as slide mounts, fragments, or replicated DNA should be returned with the object at the end of the loan period.
The borrower should indemnify each object against all insurable risks from the moment it leaves our premises until its return. We will specify the insurance value and will require a certificate of insurance before we release the object. The insurance policy should specify no recourse to packers or carriers.
Loans to UK non-national museums and galleries may be eligible for cover under the Government Indemnity Scheme (National Heritage Act 1980, Section 16). The borrower will be required to meet the minimum liability as currently defined by the UK Government. The borrower may be asked or may decide to cover this liability by commercial insurance.
Loans between government-funded institutions cannot be commercially insured and are not eligible for UK Government Indemnity. In such cases, the Government bears the risk for loans between these institutions. (National Heritage Act 1980, Section 19).
We will normally accept indemnity offered by the government of an overseas borrowing institution, where such an indemnity scheme exists. However, we need indemnity details well in advance, so that we can approve the conditions offered. In the absence of an indemnity, we will arrange insurance on the borrower's behalf with brokers based in the UK. The borrower carries all costs in any such arrangement.
We will agree packing and transport arrangements with the borrower in advance. For touring exhibitions this will include details of movements between venues and final return to NML. For UK loans we may specify transporting loans ourselves at the borrowers cost.
Unless otherwise agreed, we will pack or crate loans and charge the cost of packing materials or containers to the borrower. The borrower should safely store any containers and reusable packing materials. When re-packing the loan, the borrower should follow the packing instructions provided. Where objects require special preparation for transport, we will charge the borrower for the costs of any materials used.
We may require one or more members of our staff to accompany loans to observe handling and transport arrangements, to monitor the environment where they are to be displayed or stored, and to see them unpacked and placed on display. In the case of touring exhibitions we may require a courier to accompany loans travelling between venues. Borrowers will be required to meet these costs, including travel, accommodation and subsistence.
Loans travelling by road should be carried in suitably equipped vehicles, fully protected against climatic changes and excessive vibration, and on routes agreed in advance. Two people experienced in handling museum objects must accompany them, except for certain research loans where one person may be permitted by prior agreement. Loans in transit must never be left unattended.
For loans from the natural science collections, type specimens should be despatched by a reputable commercial carrier, or at a minimum, by registered post.
In the case of overseas loans, customs formalities and the provision of export licences etc. are the responsibility of the borrower. Borrowers must take into account any relevant legislation (e.g. CITES) and make appropriate customs arrangements. To facilitate the movement of loans and couriers through customs barriers, the borrower must arrange for someone to attend all shipments on arrival, on departure, and during any transfer.
If a customs examination is necessary, the borrower should make arrangements for it to be carried out either on their own premises or those of NML. If authorities insist on unpacking an item for examination while in transit, we must be informed immediately.
At least three weeks notice should be given for the collection and return of loans. Loans will be released as near as possible to the opening date of exhibitions to permit couriers to see them placed on display.
Our conservation staff will specify environmental conditions for each loan. Borrowers must show that these conditions can be maintained. The borrower should control the environment of their storage and display areas and cases to provide a stable climate, avoiding fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity. This control should operate 24 hours a day.
Loans should never be stored, unpacked or displayed near a source of heat, cold, or strong air currents.
Light-sensitive organic objects or objects with dyed or pigmented surfaces should never be exposed to direct daylight. Lights should be turned off when the display area is not in use.
Any deterioration of, or damage to objects, or failure to meet environmental specifications (including the breakdown of environmental controls) must be reported to us immediately.
The borrower should not undertake any conservation work, without our express written permission. We may require the borrower to meet travel and accommodation costs should a member of our staff need to inspect the loans in situ.
We will supply photographs at the borrower’s expense. Borrowers should obtain our written permission in advance if they are being used for press and television coverage or for publicity material associated with the exhibition. NML must be suitably acknowledged. Enquiries about reproduction and the correct form of acknowledgement should be made to the Divisional Registrar.
It is the responsibility of the borrower to observe copyright law. We retain copyright of all the photographs we supply. Borrowers need to indemnify and render NML harmless against any breach of copyright or moral rights vested in third parties.
Photography and the filming of items on loan are not normally permitted. All requests should be submitted in advance to the appropriate Divisional Registrar.
NML’s enabling legislation, the Merseyside Museums and Galleries Order 1986 (MMGO 1986), permits the Board of Trustees to ‘lend any work or object in the collections (whether or not the loan is for the purpose of public exhibition, and whether or not under the terms of the loan the work or object is to remain in the United Kingdom).’
Power to approve loans is delegated to senior staff who:
(a) shall give consideration to a request for loan of a work or object for public exhibition, and
(b) subject to that, shall have regard to the interests of students and other persons visiting the collections, the suitability of the prospective borrower, the purpose of the loan, the physical condition and the degree of rarity of the work or object, and any risks to which it is likely to be exposed.’ (MMGO 1986 Article 7 (2)).
NML is one of the world’s great museum services. We are active locally, nationally and internationally, reflecting our unique status as a national institution based in a major regional city.
Vision: We will be progressive and outward looking, exciting and inspiring people in ways that are inclusive and challenging.
We believe that:
Anne Fahy, Senior Registrar
World Museum
William Brown Street
Liverpool L3 8EN
Telephone: 0151 207 0001
Fax: 0151 478 4390
William Brown Street
Liverpool L3 8EN
Telephone: 0151 207 0001
Fax: 0151 478 4390
Director: John Millard
Deputy Head of World Museum and Curator of Zoology: Steve Judd
Divisional Registrar: Claire Sedgwick
Head of Sciences: John Edmondson
(Walker Art Gallery, Lady Lever Art Gallery and Sudley House)
Walker Art Gallery
William Brown Street
Liverpool L3 8EL
Telephone: 0151 207 0001
Fax: 0151 478 4190
Director: Reyahn King
Divisional Registrar: Godfrey Burke
Curator of Fine Art: Ann Bukantas
Curator of Decorative Art: Robin Emmerson
Head of Lady Lever Art Gallery: Sandra Penketh
(including Seized,! theHM Revenue and Customs National Museum and the International Slavery Museum)
Albert Dock
Liverpool L3 4AQ
Telephone: 0151 207 0001
Fax: 0151 478 4590
Director: Rachel Mulhearn
Divisional Registrar: Samantha Howes
Deputy Head of Merseyside Maritime Museum and Curator of Maritime History: Ian Murphy
Curator of Maritime Archives: Dawn Littler
Curator of HM Revenue and Customs Museum: Karen Bradbury
Head of International Slavery Museum: Richard Benjamin
Dock Traffic Office
Albert Dock
Liverpool L3 4AX
Telephone: 0151 207 0001
Fax: 0151 478 4590
Director: Janet Dugdale
Divisional Registrar: Samantha Howes
Deputy Head of Museum of Liverpool and Curator of Social History: Jen McCarthy
Head of National Museums Liverpool Archaeology Team: Rob Philpott