[Approved 12-3-2007]
This policy supplements the library's Collection Development
Policy.[1]
A.
The South Hadley Public Library preserves and provides access to
the history of South Hadley and envisions that all patrons interested
in local history will have access to appropriate materials resulting
in better knowledge of the community. The historical materials included
in the Local History Collection are part of the community's collective
heritage, holding permanent value. It is the responsibility of the
library to preserve these resources for current research and future
generations.
B.
The purpose of this collection is to collect and preserve materials
that document the history of the Town of South Hadley and its citizens,
including other geographical areas as they pertain to the history
and development of the Town. The library primarily collects paper-based
primary and secondary resources such as books, pamphlets, official
reports, maps, works of local authors, photographs and unpublished
diaries and manuscripts. Materials must be accurate, suitable for
community need or interest, and serve a public rather than personal
interest.
A.
An active effort is made to add to the collection through the acquisition
of materials from donors, private dealers, auctions, publishers, and
other reliable sources. Private donations may require a signed donation
form. All acquisitions become the unrestricted property of the South
Hadley Public Library.
B.
Staff, space, and budget limitations are considerations when adding
new materials. Materials that fall beyond the scope of the collection,
need repair costing more than their intellectual value, or require
special shelving or storage because of a unique format will not be
collected. All materials must be free of dirt, mold, moisture, and
pests, and must be in good or repairable condition.
C.
The South Hadley Public Library reserves the right to remove materials
deemed unsuitable to the collection. Materials may be moved to the
circulating collection, offered to another institution, sold, or discarded.
Materials that are not donated together as a single collection
may be dispersed among the historical collection according to subject
or personal name. Individual files may be organized by type of documents
or chronological order.
A.
Preservation of library materials is an integral part of the development
of the collection. New acquisitions will not be available to the public
until proper archival storage arrangements are made. Materials may
be removed from the library and placed in off-site archival storage
if the building conditions or public use threatens the condition of
the item.
B.
The Local History Collection is available to researchers and the
general public during regular library hours. Certain restrictions
are in place to protect the future viability of rare and/or fragile
materials. Part of the collection is kept in staff-only areas; patrons
must speak to the senior staff person on duty to gain access. Other
materials are shelved in the multi-purpose room. Materials do not
circulate, although duplicate copies of some items can be found in
the circulating collection. To measure use, researchers may be asked
to sign a register when using any historical resource. Photocopying
is allowed only at the discretion of the senior staff person. Due
to staff limitations, detailed research assistance is not available.
The South Hadley Public Library may enter into cooperative arrangements
with other organizations in order to preserve historical materials
and/or make them more widely available.
The Library Director, or a delegated staff member, has the authority
to make exceptions to this policy when benefiting the library and
community.
