The best way that I've found to handle a donor is to have a signed deed of gift that clearly spells out that the donation is a donation and become property of the receiving organization. Donors often become long-term users/friends/relationships and should be cultivated, but archivists should not be afraid of being firm, and in cases where necessary, to tell the donor "I'm sorry, but I cannot accommodate that." I'm usually more informal and take time to often explain that we're here to preserve the donation as well as to make it available. Telling the donor that we continue to be proud of their gift and the history evidenced by the materials in the gift, also helps. I try to remember to talk to donors as if I "was" the donor. In short, put yourselves in their shoes and see if you can work with them by anticipating their concerns and worries. In extreme circumstances, be sure to keep your superiors aware of the situation and how you're handling it so they're prepared if the donor wants a higher authority's decision. Dean Dean DeBolt University Librarian Special Collections and West Florida Archives John C. Pace Library University of West Florida 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514-5750 Tele: 850-474-2213; Fax: 850-474-3338 A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List! To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname *or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask] Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>