The Georgia Museum of Natural History (GMNH) welcomes and supports researcher access to our collections. We ask all researchers to complete a Collections Access Form to gain access to collections and submit it to the appropriate personnel for approval. Some access requests may require additional forms or permits.

All student researchers require a letter of support from the student’s advisor stating the student’s experience working with museum specimens as well as past experience with the proposed procedure.

A Collections Access Form does not replace the required Researcher Agreement. A signed Researcher Agreement must be in place before research, photography, or a research loan begins. Any additional forms or permits required for the proposed work will be requested as part of the agreement process.

Researcher Guidelines

As a steward of the public trust, the GMNH must also ensure the conservation and security of its collections and records. The following guidelines are intended to facilitate the research process while upholding these responsibilities. Some collections may have additional guidelines and procedure that are specific to their collections. Individuals who do not adhere to these guidelines may be asked to leave the GMNH’s storage or laboratory areas. 

1. Research Requests and Object Lists: All research requests involving access to GMNH collections must be submitted at least two weeks before the requested research visit. Researchers should contact the appropriate GMNH personnel regarding their request and provide a detailed list of requested objects, including, where applicable, catalog numbers, object descriptions, material types, and site or locality numbers. GMNH Collections staff can assist with identifying requested objects.
2. Authorized Access and Security: Only individuals listed on the Collections Access Form and/or Researcher Agreement may enter collections storage and laboratory areas. Researchers must follow all GMNH access and security regulations and comply with instructions provided by GMNH staff.
3. Personal Belongings and Prohibited Items: Coats, umbrellas, bags, briefcases, dangling accessories, permanent marking tools, and other items that may pose a risk to collections must be left in a designated area. The GMNH is not responsible for personal belongings. Eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum are prohibited in collections storage and laboratory areas.
4. Research Equipment and Measuring Devices: Researchers are responsible for providing their own equipment unless other arrangements have been made in advance, including cameras, computers, scanners, calipers, magnifying loupes, and similar equipment. Cloth tape measures are preferred for measuring objects. Metal or plastic measuring devices must be approved by the appropriate GMNH Collections staff before use. 
5. Object Handling and Movement: Researchers may handle objects only with permission from GMNH Collections staff and must follow staff instructions for proper handling and ladder use. Collections staff will move objects to and from storage equipment, including shelves, drawers, and cabinets. Tags and labels must never be removed from objects. Researchers must immediately notify GMNH staff of any breakage or damage
6. Gloves and Object Safety: Disposable nitrile or latex gloves will be provided and must be worn when handling objects. Collections may have been treated with harmful pesticides in the past, and objects may also be affected by oils from human skin. Only GMNH Collections staff may determine when gloves should not be used.
7. Destructive Analysis and Alteration: Destructive analysis, sampling, cleaning, repair, or alteration of collections is prohibited without prior approval through a Destructive Analysis Form.
8. Research Outcomes: Researchers should provide the appropriate GMNH Collections and Registration staff with one copy of any paper or publication resulting from research conducted during the research visit.

Collections Access Form