Curator: Jolanta Kobylińska
Visitor Guidelines
These guidelines are in place to protect the collections and instruct the individuals working with them. We expect all visitors to be familiar with these policies. Failure to comply with the guidelines will immediately terminate the visit and may be grounds for denying future requests.
Access
The collections are available for research for bona fide scientists worldwide unless they are already under study. Since the main collection is stored in a warehouse outside the Institute, the visiting dates are by appointment only. Also, a part of the collection is available to the public in the Museum of Evolution. To study these specimens visit to the museum has to be scheduled during hours when the general audience is not allowed. Researchers intending to visit the collection should contact the Curator as early as possible to confirm the availability of the material they wish to examine and allow transport to the main facility. Students must provide a letter from their advisor the first time they visit the collections. Only researchers with appropriate credentials will be allowed access to specimens. Requests to see the collection should be made by emailing a completed Collections Visitor Application to the Curator. Access to collections is limited to the material listed and approved in the Collections Visitor Application.
Equipment
Dissecting microscope, digital calliper, photography scales, lights, portable tripod, black velvet, and free wi-fi (Eduroam) are available per request. Visitors are advised to bring any other necessary equipment and accessories with them (camera, computer).
Handling
Since fossils are irreplaceable and must be treated with extreme care, Collections' Curator will make the requested collection available to the visitors, monitor the condition of specimens as they are used and return them to their storage locations. As elements are removed and replaced to vials, boxes, and trays, it is essential to carefully double-check to avoid mixing up elements. Visitors may not mark, damage, adhere any materials to or alter specimens in any way, even temporarily. Similarly, alteration of the labels or any markings that appear on the specimen is forbidden.
Any protocol that may have a lasting effect on the specimens (such as destructive sampling, moulding, coating, and preparing) must be approved well in advance of any visit by submitting a Molding/Destructive Sampling Application. Visitors who find any signs of damage to specimens, misplaced elements or misidentifications are asked to bring the issue to the Curator's attention. Eating and drinking are not allowed in the collections area.
Imaging
2D photography of IP PAS specimens is allowed without special permission for research purposes only. Please consult Images Obtain/Reproduce Application for copyright policy and information about requesting new photographs production by IP PAS Photography Department.
3D photography: surface scanning, photogrammetry, MRI, CT, and all other techniques, which have the potential to generate 3D data, must be requested by submitting a 3D Imaging Application.
A copy of obtained images and publication in which they appear should be sent to the IP PAS Collections Curator.
Loans
Requests to loan any material from the collection should be made by submitting a completed Loan Application to the Curator. Loans are usually due after a year, but they are made solely at the discretion of the IP PAS and can be terminated or otherwise recalled at any time. Request to prolong the loan must be made in writing.
Standard conditions do not allow any interventive work on the specimens, such as preparation, moulding/casting, destructive sampling, or 3D imaging. Such work must not be undertaken without advanced, written permission from IP PAS (see Handling and Imagining sections above).
Loaned material must never be transferred to a third party. It has to be returned personally or via registered mail; appropriate packing is obligatory.
Upon returning a loan or as soon as possible, the Researcher has to provide IP PAS with a free copy of the publication in which used material is cited.
If you have any further questions about these guidelines or visiting the collections, please contact the Curator.