Collecting policy
There are three principal elements in our acquisition policy, which has been registered with the Historical Manuscripts Commission.
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Historical papers and archives of the East Midlands, building upon established strengths.
The subject range within this broad geographic definition is potentially very wide. The following categories of material are represented under this heading:
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family and estate collections, including significant series of political papers created or acquired by local families (within which are long runs of papers from other parts of the world);
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papers of local individuals;
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ecclesiastical records, including the archive of the court of the former Archdeaconry of Nottingham, together with Unitarian, Presbyterian and some Baptist records. This excludes all parish records and the records of the post-1884 diocese of Southwell, Methodist records, and Quaker records;
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records of local business and official bodies, of which the largest is the archive of the Severn Trent Water Authority and predecessor water and drainage authorities;
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literary papers; ranging from 17th-century verse in the Duke of Portland's family archive to acquisitions of 20th-century local writers;
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hospital records.
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Material with a curriculum or research relevance to The University of Nottingham. The Library acts in association with the University's academic departments to secure material which can be used in teaching and research. Added weight is given to prospective acquisitions in this category if they also originate in the East Midlands.Examples include:
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literary papers (e.g. D.H. Lawrence Collection);
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business records (with particular reference to the local textile industry);
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papers of local scientists and medical practitioners.
Where areas of significant academic interest are identified, collections with no obvious local relevance are also acquired, provided no alternative repository is clearly more appropriate. Included in this category are the archives formerly held by the University's Institute of German, Austrian and Swiss Affairs, and the archives of the Cotton Research Corporation.
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Archives and historical records of the University itself, and material associated with its history.
The records of Nottingham University College, which in 1948 by royal charter became The University of Nottingham, are almost entirely housed within the Library's archive repository.
More modern records are occasionally transferred, although the University's current and semi-current administrative papers are separately maintained by the Registrar's Department.
Non-official documents concerning the activities and development of the institution are sought, including the papers of former members of the University, both staff and alumni. These can include film records and student ephemera.
Special Collections aim to build on existing strengths and identified curriculum and research needs. Material which may complement strengths in the manuscript and archival holdings is also sought. Some of the named Special Collections are actively extended as opportunity allows.
Further information is given in the general introductions to the various collections.
Next page: Preservation policy