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but ill-housed and ill-cared for, but he felt that there is no way in which the Smithsonian could be helpful as long as the matter of its eventual relocation remains under review in the New York courts.

POLICY ON LOAN OF PRECIOUS OBJECTS

As noted in the Report of the Executive Committee, above, the Secretary has received some strongly pressed requests recently for the loan of what would be regarded as some of the major items in the National Collections. Mr. Adams pointed out the dilemma between wanting to reciprocate with other museums and education institutions throughout the world while, at the same time, the Smithsonian has a fundamental responsibility to the American people for the care and exhibition of their national treasures. At the request of the Executive Committee, Mr. Adams offered the following statement of Smithsonian policy:

[[underlined]] General Policy on the Loan of Smithsonian Collections [[/underlined]]

In keeping with its mandate "for the increase and diffusion of knowledge" the Smithsonian Institution endorses the museum community practice of making collection items available for loan to other museums and educational institutions when circumstances allow. The accommodation of a request to borrow unique or especially important objects from the national collections must be given thorough consideration, incorporating concerns such as the nature of the object, the impact of its absence on the visiting public and scholars, the condition of the object, security, legal restrictions emanating as a loan condition, and the like. Each individual museum collection policy should incorporate these considerations as well as all others which may be unique to the specific item or collection.

Decision regarding such loans are the responsibility of the bureau director, who may at his or her discretion refer the matter to the Secretary for final decision in cases in which there may appear to be a broader Institutional policy consideration. Decision made will be compatible with accepted museum community standards as well as additional obligations resulting from the responsibilities of the Institution as chief custodian of the national treasures.