Some quick tips on making specimen loan requests! A lot of museums are on aggregators like @GBIF, @Vertnet, Seinet @iDigBio and SCAN, which you can search for an initial inquiry. Check out the original database for the most updated information. For us, that's @arctosdb /1
Even if you think you've found what you need, email the staff and tell them about your project and what your looking for (i.e. I'm doing a project on the phylogenetics of Grayia, and I'm looking for any XX). It helps if you give a geographic area if that matters! Why? /2
Collections managers and curators know their collections best! There may be uncatalogued material that fits your project or we may be able to suggest things for your project that you're not aware of and haven't found in your search query. /3
We can also help you run search queries. Want multiple genera in New Mexico? You got it! /4 
Treat us like librarians! We want to help with your research! An example: We were asked for a very specific preparation of salamanders (vertebrae strung on wire), but we were only asked for the 5 that were found in our database. /5
After learning about the project more, we were able to suggest ~400 more uncatalogued samples to add to this student's project (They wanted them all!)! /6
When you're ready to make your formal loan request, check out if the museum your requesting from has a loan policy and read it carefully! Most of us have one (link in bio). #CollectionsAreEssential /7
Help us help you by citing our specimens and sending us your publications! We want to continue to be able to help with your research. Showing our administrators that #CollectionsAreEssential helps us do that. Happy borrowing! /end
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