[Genealib] RE: permanent loan of books

[Epling, Jimmie (KDLA)]

The ability to obtain access to some genealogical records through a "permanent" loan may sound very attractive at first.  There are problems that will crop up in time.  

The fact is the materials are NOT your materials and are subject to the whim of the individual who loaned the items.  The owner may want to borrow them at any time.  If the items are not enshrined in a way that satisfies the loaner, the items may be taken.  The owner may decide to pull the items at any time to sell.  

Also, the heirs of the deceased loaner may want the items back, believing them to have value on the open market.

All these can leave the library and the collection with problems.  A short term loan to abstract or copy the original materials (keeping in mind copyright restrictions) is acceptable and desirable.

Don't put yourself in the position of being subject to the whims of someone offer a permanent loan.  It is not worth the headache.

Jimmie 
 
Jimmie Epling
Regional Library Consultant
Region 8 Field Office
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
P.O. Box 370, 122 South Main Cross St. 
Louisa, KY 41230-0370
O: 606.638.4797 / C: 606.521.0107 / F: 606.638.0586
jimmie.epling at ky.gov