Special Collections Acquisitions Policy

 

This policy contains general selection criteria to guide the appropriate and financially responsible selection of materials for Norwich University Special Collections, including gifts and purchases, and might also be used for internal planning purposes and to communicate our needs and interests to users and donors.

Special Collections includes books and other rare or primary published materials relating to military history and the history of Norwich University, her founders, faculty, staff and alumni. These printed materials are held in a closed-stack, controlled environment and do not circulate.

Books are accepted into the collection because of one or more of the following criteria:

  • Age
  • Content
  • Binding
  • Illustration
  • Printing
  • Edition
  • Association
  • Fragile materials with permanent value
  • Published material of local significance or of special interest to Norwich University

Books accepted into the collection should:

  • Support the curricula and programs, past and present
  • Support the service mission of Norwich University, past and present
  • Enhance our knowledge of Norwich University history and traditions
  • Enhance our knowledge of military history and traditions

Selection is also guided by:

  • Price
  • Maintenance and preservation costs (physical condition)
  • Geographic and/or electronic availability
  • Relation to other collection resources

Acceptable formats include books, periodicals and microform

Norwich University Special Collections CANNOT accept:

  • Hardcopy newsprint items, with the exception of internal publications and the local newspaper, Northfield News
  • Textbooks, except those containing special interest to Norwich University
  • Materials containing mold, mildew or signs of insect or rodent infestation
  • Materials requiring restoration/conservation unless appropriate funds accompany the item
  • Materials with restrictions placed on housing, handling or ultimate disposition

Norwich University Special Collections reserves the right to dispose of unsuitable materials by sale, exchange, donation or discarding.

PrintFriendly and PDFPrint