 |
||||||
|
|
|
||||
|
||||||
Manuscripts Collection and Congressional Archives
LIBRARY COLLECTION POLICY STATEMENTS
I. PROGRAM INFORMATION
With the arrival of the current University Archivist in 1988, it was discovered that among the materials which had been deposited in the Archives section of the library were a number of manuscript collections which were not archival to the University and which did not seem to pertain to other collections within the Special Collections department. Upon careful consideration, a plan was formulated to create a Manuscripts section, separate from other units within the department.
In 1997, the Matsunaga family donated to the University of Hawaii the Congressional papers of the late U.S. Senator Spark M. Matsunaga. This became the foundation for the creation of the Congressional Archives collection. The Matsunaga deposit was followed by the donation of former U.S. Senator Hiram Fong of his papers in 1998. Currently, negotiations are in progress for the papers of other former Congressional representatives from Hawaii. In addition, the Democratic Party of Hawaii donated its records to the library in 1999 and this collection forms an adjunct body to the Congressional holdings.
II. COORDINATION OF COLLECTING RESPONSIBILITIES
The collection is reliant on gift donations for its continued growth. Collections offered to the library are reviewed for appropriateness before acceptance. The focus has been primarily on persons or subjects of local interest. Included in the general manuscript category are the Arthur Goodfriend papers and the Institute of Pacific Relations records.
The curators and specialists in the Hawaiian, Pacific, and other units within Special Collections are consulted to determine the suitable location for the materials.
Manuscript materials relevant to the Hawaiian or Pacific Collections are the responsibility of their respective curators.
III. GUIDELINES TO MATERIALS COLLECTED OR EXCLUDED
Language: No limitations.
Chronological: Primarily twentieth century.
Geographic: No limitations.
Date of Publication: Primarily unpublished materials.
Types/Formats of Materials Collected: No limitations.
Treatment: No limitations.
IV. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Manuscript materials are almost always unique. Acquisition, processing, storage, and use all require special policies and procedures. Preservation concerns and processing necessary to prepare materials for use by patrons as well as creating finding aids and detailed inventory lists require an enormous amount of time and are very labor intensive.
Compiled: 12/00 Compiler: James F. Cartwright