A. OBJECTIVES
1. To supplement and enhance specific areas of the curriculum of the college.
These areas have traditionally been in the areas of British and American literature and women's history. To a lesser extent areas of collecting have included works of Afro-American history, children's literature, fine printing and small presses, antiquarian atlases, household and etiquette manuals, cookbooks, antiquarian travel books, and incunabula. As many as possible of the publications of the College and Vassar student publications are acquired.
2. To continue the tradition of providing primary source material of significant historical and/or research value for Vassar students and faculty.
In addition to collecting printed materials in the areas shown above, collections of manuscripts and personal papers, mainly of alumnae who have made significant contributions to their fields, are collected. Transfer of documentation and records of the College are accepted as space allows and, at times, in consultation with the College Historian.
3. To continue to develop and augment the collections that transcend local research needs to the national and international levels that have already been attained.
Many of the manuscript collections or personal papers in the department of Special Collections have research value beyond the boundaries of Vassar College. Among these are the Jean Webster McKinney Family Papers, which includes family and business correspondence and some manuscripts of Samuel Clemens; the papers of Elizabeth Bishop, Mary McCarthy, John Burroughs, and Ruth Benedict, to name a few. In addition to acquiring more primary source material to augment these collections, supportive, secondary materials are sought.
II. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR COLLECTING
A. Languages
Primary source materials are collected in the original language; these have generally been in English. Translations or foreign language editions of those whose papers are in our collections are also acquired.
B. Chronological Guidelines
Chronological limitations vary according to the collection in which the material falls.*
C. Geographical Guidelines
Geographical limitations vary according to the collection in which the material falls.*
D. Date of Publication
Collection development emphasis varies according to the collection for which the material is intended. Exceptions may include retrospective collecting in areas of new emphasis.*
E. Treatment of Subject
The general focus of the materials in Special Collections has been on the western world. However, with changes being made in the curriculum heading more toward diversity and multiculturalism, a wider emphasis in certain areas such as literature will need to be considered.
*N. B. Because the treatment of subject, chronological and geographical guidelines, and date of publication vary considerably among our collections, a complete list of the collections, fully delineating their parameters, must be added to this section. It is still being revised and is not available for this draft. A short, incomplete list of the collections is attached to this policy statement.
F. Types of Materials Collected
Books, periodicals, manuscripts, personal papers, photographs, ephemera, audiocassettes, and realia are currently collected, according to the nature of the collection for which they are acquired.
G. Other General Considerations
The Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts makes use of the following methods of procurement of materials for Special Collections: purchase and gift. Deposit and/ or exchange of material is infrequently utilized.
Despite the rising prices of rare/unique books, etc. and the change in federal income tax laws regarding the donation of personal papers, the department of Special Collections is committed to the continuation of enhancing the strength of its fine collections.
