While the idea of a loan-box scheme is simple and appealing, the challenge is to ensure long-term sustainability.
Initial funding may come as part of the outreach component of a bigger museum development, or for setting up a specific project.
These schemes are attractive to funders because they meet criteria relating to education, wellbeing and access for marginalised groups. Current funders include the Heritage Lottery Fund, charitable trusts, local authorities and healthcare providers.
Financial operating models for loan box schemes vary widely. Most are non-profit-making, with running costs met by the museum or by external funders. Boxes are either offered free or for a token charge of around £10-£20 for each loan period.
Some organisations are expected to cover their administration costs through hire fees and therefore charge at a higher rate.
Despite education cutbacks, demand for loan boxes schemes from schools remains solid enough for them to operate commercially.
Artforms Artemis, an scheme based in Leeds, offers UK-wide loans based on its collection of 10,000 artefacts and 3,000 works of art. Although working under the auspices of the local authority, it is a trading service that is required to make a profit.
Marketing and evaluation
No loan-box scheme can afford to stand still. In almost all cases, the number of boxes lent out is in direct proportion to the effort made to keep in touch with users.
Marketing takes time but is essential for repeat business. At a minimum this involves keeping the website and mailing lists up to date, making reminder calls, using social media and arranging open sessions for users.
Ideally there will always be something new to promote, even if it is just a special offer or a tweak to take account of changes to the national curriculum.
Anticipating demand can bring in more business. The 2014-2018 first world war commemorations have prompted national and local museums to produce loan boxes on the subject.
Regular evaluation ensures that the needs of users continue to be met, although it is important to acknowledge that, once produced, it can be expensive to make changes to a box.
Some museums include feedback forms with each loan. Others find group feedback sessions more valuable as it is possible to discuss points in greater detail with users.
In it together
Partnerships are another way to keep a scheme sustainable or to broaden its scope. They can also open up new sources of funding.
With a grant from the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum Wales) has teamed up with the Faulkes Telescope Project at Cardiff University to produce meteorite loan boxes. Part of the Down2Earth scheme, this enables students in Wales and the rest of the UK to learn about meteorites using real specimens with lessons linked to the science curriculum.
When regularly reviewed to make sure the arrangement is working for all parties, partnerships can make the most of shared resources.
Reading Museum has about 10 partners in its loan-box scheme, says Rebecca James, the museum’s learning officer: “We do a lot of the work, but in return we get the benefit of their expertise. It has had a positive knock-on effect, strengthening museum relationships across the county.”
The museum regards its boxes as one of its biggest assets, and keeps a selection prominently displayed in the galleries.
“It makes a powerful statement about what we do,” James says. “We often refer to it in funding bids as an example of what we’ve achieved in widening access and why it’s important to keep these things going.”
Initial funding may come as part of the outreach component of a bigger museum development, or for setting up a specific project.
These schemes are attractive to funders because they meet criteria relating to education, wellbeing and access for marginalised groups. Current funders include the Heritage Lottery Fund, charitable trusts, local authorities and healthcare providers.
Financial operating models for loan box schemes vary widely. Most are non-profit-making, with running costs met by the museum or by external funders. Boxes are either offered free or for a token charge of around £10-£20 for each loan period.
Some organisations are expected to cover their administration costs through hire fees and therefore charge at a higher rate.
Despite education cutbacks, demand for loan boxes schemes from schools remains solid enough for them to operate commercially.
Artforms Artemis, an scheme based in Leeds, offers UK-wide loans based on its collection of 10,000 artefacts and 3,000 works of art. Although working under the auspices of the local authority, it is a trading service that is required to make a profit.
Marketing and evaluation
No loan-box scheme can afford to stand still. In almost all cases, the number of boxes lent out is in direct proportion to the effort made to keep in touch with users.
Marketing takes time but is essential for repeat business. At a minimum this involves keeping the website and mailing lists up to date, making reminder calls, using social media and arranging open sessions for users.
Ideally there will always be something new to promote, even if it is just a special offer or a tweak to take account of changes to the national curriculum.
Anticipating demand can bring in more business. The 2014-2018 first world war commemorations have prompted national and local museums to produce loan boxes on the subject.
Regular evaluation ensures that the needs of users continue to be met, although it is important to acknowledge that, once produced, it can be expensive to make changes to a box.
Some museums include feedback forms with each loan. Others find group feedback sessions more valuable as it is possible to discuss points in greater detail with users.
In it together
Partnerships are another way to keep a scheme sustainable or to broaden its scope. They can also open up new sources of funding.
With a grant from the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum Wales) has teamed up with the Faulkes Telescope Project at Cardiff University to produce meteorite loan boxes. Part of the Down2Earth scheme, this enables students in Wales and the rest of the UK to learn about meteorites using real specimens with lessons linked to the science curriculum.
When regularly reviewed to make sure the arrangement is working for all parties, partnerships can make the most of shared resources.
Reading Museum has about 10 partners in its loan-box scheme, says Rebecca James, the museum’s learning officer: “We do a lot of the work, but in return we get the benefit of their expertise. It has had a positive knock-on effect, strengthening museum relationships across the county.”
The museum regards its boxes as one of its biggest assets, and keeps a selection prominently displayed in the galleries.
“It makes a powerful statement about what we do,” James says. “We often refer to it in funding bids as an example of what we’ve achieved in widening access and why it’s important to keep these things going.”