Special Collections

POLICY:

Purpose

The primary purpose of Special Collections is to provide a more secure environment for printed published materials of lasting value to the University.  It is to provide materials in support of undergraduate and graduate instruction, particularly whose field of study requires or encourages the use of rare materials of local interest.

Description of Special Collections

Special Collections is a part of Olson Library, with several locations and unique collections within Special Collections. These include:

• Moses Coit Tyler Collection: This is a separate, static, and unique collection of nineteenth-century American literature donated to Northern Michigan University in 1904 by Moses Coit Tyler Tyler’s nephew, Albert E. Miller.
• NMU Thesis Collection: NMU theses in print or fiche.  Electronic versions of theses are available through the library's ProQuest subscription and/or the library's institutional repository, the NMU Commons.  Fiche served as the master copy for the electronic thesis until 2013.  (Note: Forest Roberts Theatre competition manuscripts and NMU serial publications are collected by the Central Upper Peninsula and University Archives).
• Faculty publications: The Library will purchase faculty and alumni monographs whenever possible. These publications will be located in the circulating collection for five years after the date of publication before being moved to Special Collections.  This collection is limited to published monographs. Unpublished works or manuscripts of published works will be transferred to the Archives.
• General Collection: Rare books are not generally collected by Olson Library. However, if identified within another collection or accepted as a gift according to current Collection Development policies, the item(s) may be added to Special Collections in order to provide proper security and environment. Additionally, books from the circulating collection may be placed in Special Collections when the liaison librarians want to retain it but due to age or condition it is not appropriate to be kept in the open stacks or storage.  

Means of Access

All materials in Special Collections must be used within the Archives Reading Room and patrons must adhere to the guidelines for using archival materials when accessing these materials.

Scope of Coverage

Languages

The majority of Special Collections will be in English, however, other languages are permitted if the material is of particular interest.

Geographical Focus (subject content or publication source)

Emphasis is placed on materials with a Northern Michigan University imprint, Upper Peninsula imprint or focus, or materials of regional interest with a strong Upper Peninsula coverage.

Time Periods (subject content)

Not restricted.

Chronological Focus (date of publication)

This is determined by the subcollection that the material is being added to.  Thesis will be current productions, faculty publications have no limit on date produced.  Rare materials are considered to be those materials printed in Michigan prior to 1850 or in the United States prior to 1801.

Deaccessioning

In order to maintain and improve the quality of the collection, materials may be deaccessioned due to irrelevance, lack of space duplication, irreparable condition, or removal to more secure or environmentally appropriate location. Deaccessioned material will be offered to a more appropriate institution based on an analysis of that institution’s collection policy.  The Collection Development Librarian, in consultation with the appropriate liaison librarian, will make the decision to deaccession an item only after a careful reappraisal of an individual title.  

Supporting Policies

• Library Collection Development Policy
• Library Gift Policy
• Archives Collection Development Policy

CONTACT: Emera Bridger Wilson, Collection Management Librarian, (906) 227-1205, or ebridger@nmu.edu