{"id":32816,"date":"2022-05-12T13:22:52","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T18:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/?page_id=32816"},"modified":"2026-03-23T12:51:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T17:51:09","slug":"collection-development-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/archives\/research\/collection-development-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Collection Development Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Mission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Archives Department (\u201cthe archives\u201d) seeks to select, preserve, and make available primary source materials that document the history of 51ÁÔÆæ and the Milwaukee metropolitan area, and that have long-term value for research and instruction at 51ÁÔÆæ. Materials are open to the general public except when restricted by federal and state law or university policy, for preservation or privacy reasons, or as a condition of gift established by a donor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collection Level<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Collection levels vary from basic to advanced study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collection Profile<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Archives Department administers three main categories of records: university records, manuscript collections, and holdings owned by the Wisconsin Historical Society. The archives collects in a wide range of formats including physical and digital records. In general, published materials are considered the purview of Special Collections or the general library collection. The archives collects three-dimensional materials on a case-by-case basis. Some materials, particularly those in fragile condition or obsolete formats, may require external funding for preservation as a condition for acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University Records<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

University records consist of the non-current records of 51ÁÔÆæ that have continuing historical value. This category includes records from major campus administrative offices, departments, and student-related activities. In order to ensure the proper maintenance, protection, retention, and disposition of institutional records, the Archives Department administers 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s Records Management Program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Records produced by university employees or offices that have continuing legal, fiscal, evidentiary, or administrative value are held by the originating offices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milwaukee Area Research Center Collection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Milwaukee Area Research Center (ARC) Collection consists of Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) manuscript collections and public records relating to a five-county region placed on permanent deposit at 51ÁÔÆæ. WHS develops its manuscripts collections according to its own collection development policy. As a member of the ARC Network, the archives provides local access to the holdings of the WHS and other ARCs via the ARC transfer system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manuscript Collections<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The manuscript collections consist of primary source materials acquired by 51ÁÔÆæ that have long-term research and instructional value for its academic programs, especially materials pertaining to the Milwaukee metro area, and those that document the city\u2019s history. It includes the personal papers of individuals, as well as the records of organizations and businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Collecting Areas<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Archives Department values collaborative participation in the larger community of Milwaukee repositories; thus, the archives focuses its manuscript collecting to specific subject areas. The following section identifies subjects in which the archives has a current interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arts and Architecture<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The archives accepts manuscript collections documenting the activities of artists, writers, and performing artists in the Milwaukee area, particularly those whose background or work pertains to underrepresented groups. The archives also collects the records of local galleries, production companies, collectives, and other artistic organizations. With these collections the archives seeks to document the relationships between artists and the rest of the Milwaukee arts community, and the ways in which that community’s history reflects and influences the history of Milwaukee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The archives accepts collections pertaining to Milwaukee\u2019s built environment, including historically significant buildings in the Milwaukee area and relevant architects\u2019 papers. The archives does not acquire three-dimensional models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brewing History<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The archives accepts collections that document the history of brewing in Milwaukee, including the temperance movement and prohibition period (1919-1933), with a particular focus on papers from groups underrepresented in the archival record. The archives selectively acquires three-dimensional objects to support research in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archives Profession in the United States<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The archives accepts organizational records and personal papers that document the history of the archives profession in the United States, with particular emphasis on individuals and groups representing under-documented population groups. The archives serves as the repository for the Society of American Archivists, the Midwest Archives Conference, and other archival organizations. The archives also accepts the papers of individuals who have made significant contributions to the archival profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical and Health Care<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The archives accepts collections that document the history of nursing and health care in Milwaukee with a particular focus on organizations that serve or represent underrepresented population groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Action<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The archives accepts collections that document local social action (e.g., Milwaukee\u2019s socialist history, health care, neighborhood revitalization, preservation of public spaces and natural resources, peace activism, anti-discrimination and civil liberties), especially groups that represent or support people from underrepresented population groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Underrepresented Population Groups<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The archives accepts collections that document historically underrepresented population groups in the Milwaukee area that are not otherwise addressed in other collecting areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

51ÁÔÆæ (Non-Official Records)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The archives is responsible for documenting the history of 51ÁÔÆæ through the preservation of official university records. Non-official records are also acquired as manuscript collections, especially ones that document underrepresented population groups. Such records may fall within the following categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Predecessor Institutions<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The Archives accepts collections that pertain to 51ÁÔÆæ predecessor institutions: the Wisconsin State Teachers College (Milwaukee), the Milwaukee State Teachers College, and the University of Wisconsin Extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Papers<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The archives accepts 51ÁÔÆæ faculty papers to enhance documentation of the university\u2019s academic and administrative history beyond what is found in official records. The archives also collects faculty papers when topics documented in those records directly pertain to other collecting areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alumni Papers<\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The archives accepts alumni papers that enhance documentation of the university\u2019s history by providing evidence of student life and activities. The archives does not collect the papers of current students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

De-Selection Criteria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Deaccessioning is an integral and essential tool of collection development. In selecting collections for deaccessioning\u2014whether processed or not\u2014the Archives Department Head considers the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n