The Information Center’s sample document collection & customized reference service is a unique and valuable resource for institutional museum members of AAM. The sample collection contains over 1,000 samples of policies, plans, & forms from all types and sizes of museums. Most of the samples were written by Accredited museums. Reference services are confidential, objective, and comprehensive. Send your question on any museum-related issue to infocenter@aam-us.org. Help will be provided within 3 business days or less.

Request Sample Documents:
Email infocenter@aam-us.org with the following information to help staff select the most appropriate samples for your needs:

• Type of document requested (see available types below)
• Your museum's discipline, budget range, and governance structure
• Your museum's name or institutional membership number

The collection of sample documents is fairly large and updated regularly. Information Center staff typically send 3 to 5 examples of each document type requested so you can see how different museums approach an issue. Although there is no limit to the number of requests you submit, it is recommended that you limit requests to 5 document types at a time. All inquiries receive a response within 3 business days or less. If you are unsure of what type of sample document to request, please send us an email describing your museum's most pressing needs and challenges and we will find appropriate resources for you.

“Again, a thousand thanks for your guidance. I cannot imagine drafting such an important document alone!” –Lucinda Dukes Edinberg, The Mitchell Gallery, St. John’s College

Collections Stewardship Documents
Archive and Library Management Policies
Collections Plans
Collections Plans - Forms
Collection Management Agreements (also called Repository Agreements)    
Collections Management Policies
Collections Management - Forms
Conservation Plans
Copyright & Reproduction Policies
Courier Policies
Cyclical Maintenance/Housekeeping Procedures
Handling Procedures
Integrated Pest Management Policies
Loans to Non-Museum Entities Policies
NAGPRA Policies
Preservation Policies

Facilities & Risk Management Documents
Disaster/Emergency Plans
Security Guard Manuals
General Facility Report* (see below)

Financial Stability Documents
Development & Membership Plans
Development & Membership Policies
Endowment Policies
Facility Use Agreements
Filming, Photography, and Sound Recording Agreements
Financial Policies & Procedures
Mothballing Historic Structures Material

Governance & Support Organization Documents
Bylaws for External Organizations
Bylaws for Internal Groups
Bylaws for Museums & Parent Organizations 
Delegation of Authority Statements
Governance Manuals (Table of Contents)
Governance Transition Plans
Institutional Codes of Ethics
Management Agreements
Record Retention Policies
Statements of Support
Whistleblower Protection Policies

Human Resources Documents
Diversity Statements
Organizational Charts
Performance Appraisal Forms
Personnel Policies 
Position Descriptions (please specify the position type needed)
Travel Policies
Volunteer Application Forms
Volunteer Handbooks
Computer Policies

Interpretation & Education Documents
Clothing Policies
Education Plans
Education Policies
Evaluation Materials
Exhibition Agreements
Exhibition Policies & Procedures 
Furnishing Plans
Interpretive Plans
Publication Policies
Style Guides

Marketing & Public Relations Documents
Marketing Plans
Marketing & Public Relations Policies
Social Media Policies

Mission & Institutional Planning Documents
Business Plans
Institutional Plans (includes strategic and operating plans)
Mission Statements (includes vision & values statements)

*Please note: the General Facility Report is not available as a sample document. It must be purchased through the AAM Bookstore.