I. Mission Statement
Special Collections seeks to acquire, preserve, and make accessible both published and unpublished print materials and photographs related to Haverhill, to the history of the Merrimack Valley, to the histories of prominent local families, and to John Greenleaf Whittier.
II. Scope of Collection
Of primary interest are materials related to Haverhill, to the history of the Merrimack Valley, to the histories of prominent local families, and to John Greenleaf Whittier.
Of secondary interest are materials related to the history of Massachusetts.
Of minor interest are materials related to the histories of the states that border (or were once a part of) Massachusetts: namely, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York; and to the histories of other local families.
III. Acquiring Materials
Special Collections will acquire materials that meet its mission statement and collection scope, by means of purchase and gift. The materials will include books, documents, maps, memorabilia, genealogical records of founding families, slides, microfilm, newspapers, news clippings, and identified photographs. Three-dimensional objects will not be collected.
The Library welcomes donations to Special Collections. All donations must be accompanied by a Deed of Gift form completed and signed by the donor.
All donated materials must be free of dirt, mold, moisture, and pests, and should be in good condition. Photographs must be identified.
Once a donation has been made, the Library reserves the right to decide how the donated item will be displayed or stored, how the item can be used by the public, and how long the item will be retained. Materials in Special Collections may be scanned and placed on the Internet for viewing, moved to another location in the Library, or withdrawn from the collection.
Special Collections reserves the right to refuse donations of materials for any reasonable cause determined by the Library Director or the Board of Trustees.
IV. Restrictions on Use
All visitors to Special Collections must sign in immediately upon entering.
Special Collections reserves the right to prohibit visitors from scanning or photocopying specific materials if the material is in poor condition or inherently fragile.
Materials belonging to Special Collections shall not leave Special Collections, except in special cases wherein permission has been granted by the Library Director or the Board of Trustees.
V. Deaccessioning Materials
Special Collections reserves the right to withdraw materials that may meet its mission statement and collection scope but are not needed because they are duplicate copies, in poor condition, or for any other reasonable cause determined by the Library Director or the Trustees. Withdrawn items may be offered to other depositories, donated to the Friends of the Library, or discarded.
The Board of Trustees reserves the right to amend this policy and to rule on situations not specifically covered herein.
Adopted by the Trustees of the Haverhill Public Library, December 19, 2013