Museum of Southwestern Biology
Division of Arthropods

 Museum Facility Use

The Collection Work Room and the Arthropod Laboratory are the principal work areas for arthropod research and education. Both work areas are available to people by making advance arrangements with the Collection Manager. Personnel work desk space is available to UNM students, faculty, and staff depending upon availability of open work desks. Personal work space requests should be made to the Collection Manager. Contact the Curator for information about using the Live Arthropod Facility.

Keys for the doors to the Arthropod Museum and to the Arthropod Laboratory are available only to museum staff, and UNM faculty and students conducting research on arthropod systematics. Key requests must be made to, and approved by the Curator. Once approved by the Curator, keys may be acquired through the Collection Manager. The Collection Manager maintains a database of all key owners. Persons with keys will be asked to return those keys when they no longer work in the museum. All persons with keys must complete a Museum Check-Out Form with the Collection Manager.

The Arthropod Museum Library contains entomological books, journals, and journal reprints. Library materials are available for viewing in the Collection Work Room, and may be checked out on loan. Make arrangements with the Collection Manager for library material viewing or loans. All book and journal article loans are documented on a Museum Book and Supply Loan Form. Records of all book loans are maintained in a database. The library is housed within the Collection Manager's office, which is off limits to all but museum staff.

The Arthropod Museum Specimen Database contains data on all specimens housed in the Arthropod Museum Collection. The database is maintained on a computer within the Collection Manager's office. Make arrangements with the Collection Manager to view the database or search for specific records.

A variety of entomological supplies and equipment are available for use by people conducting research on arthropods. Supplies that may be borrowed include insect nets, light traps, malaise trap, microscopes and scope lights, forceps, and point punches. Make arrangements with the Collection Manger to borrow entomological supplies, which will include documentation of loans on a Museum Book and Supply Loan Form. Records of all equipment and supply loans are maintained in a database. Other expendable supplies such as insect pins, labels, and chemicals are not available. Please see the Collection Manager or Museum Assistants to find out where to purchase those items. We generally order entomological supplies from BioQuip Inc.: (http://www.bioquip.com/), and chemicals and glassware from the UNM Department of Chemistry, Research Laboratory Supplies (CRLS) 277-5109.

All purchases made with Arthropod Museum funds must be approved by the Curator. Persons wishing to purchase supplies and equipment for the museum should first contact the Collection Manager and fill out a Purchase Request Form. The Collection Manager will then submit the request to the Curator for approval. Approved purchases may then be processed by the Collection Manager or by the Museum Assistants. The Collection Manager maintains a budget with records of all purchases made each year.  

  
Museum of Southwestern Biology
Division of Arthropods
Department of Biology
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131