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Science Boxes Program

From Nature's chain whatever link you strike,
Tenth or ten thousandth, breaks the chain alike.
Alexander Pope

Science Box Policies for Teachers, Individuals, and Small Groups
  1. Science Boxes will be loaned only by advanced reservation.
  2. Reservations must be made at least 1 week in advance of the loan period. Reservations may be made several months in advance.
  3. Borrowers must present one form of identification when picking up the box such as a valid driver’s license or picture I.D.
  4. When picking up the box(es), the borrowers are required to pay a damage/loss deposit of $25 per box either by check or cash.
  5. Boxes will only be loaned for a two-week period and will not be renewed.
  6. A borrower may only check out two boxes in a given time period.
  7. Boxes may only be picked up during the designated time periods. The designated hours may change depending on the availability of volunteer staff. It is the responsibility of the borrower to call the museum to confirm pick-up hours.
  8. When a box is being checked out, the borrower must confirm that all materials are in the box and are in good condition by going through the box with a museum staff member/volunteer present. The "checkout" portion of a Contents Sheet will be filled out and signed.
  9. Boxes may only be returned during the designated time periods.
  10. When a box is being checked-in, the borrower must confirm with museum staff/volunteer that all the materials are still present and in good condition. A museum staff member/volunteer and the borrower will fill out the "check-in" portion of the Contents Sheet.
  11. Boxes may not be dropped off and left without a museum staff/volunteer checking it in. Failure to check-in boxes may result in the loss of borrowing privileges.
  12. All boxes must be returned before additional boxes may be checked out. No borrower may have more than 2 boxes at any one time.
  13. There is a late fee of $2 per box for each day overdue. If overdue fines extend over 30 days, the borrower will be charged for the entire replacement cost of the box.
  14. Borrowers accept responsibility for all science box materials.
  15. If any science box materials are lost or damaged, the borrower is responsible for the replacement value. The replacement value will be deducted from the loss/damage deposit.
  16. If the cost of replacement exceeds the damage deposit, the borrower will be charged the additional fees. These fees will be paid by cash or check. The borrower will lose borrowing privileges until these fees are paid.
  17. Borrowers must return the questionnaire given to them at check out when returning borrowed science boxes. The borrower’s deposit will be held and he/she will lose borrowing privileges until the completed survey is returned.
  18. Borrowers should handle the science box materials according to the instructions inside each box.
  19. Borrowers should not attempt to make repairs to any of the science box materials.
  20. Borrowers will be charged a $25 fee for all returned checks.
  21. Returned checks may result in the loss of borrowing privileges.
  22. Failure to comply with the policies of the Georgia Museum of Natural History will result in loss of borrowing privileges.
  23. Parts of the above policies are outlined in the "Terms of Borrowing" form which will be read and signed by borrowers each time they borrow a box(es).