THE SCSU HISTORICAL COLLECTION:
PRESERVING SCSU’S PAST FOR THE FUTURE

     Collection History
     Mission Statement
     Materials Sought by the SCSU Historical Collection
     Donating Materials to the SCSU Historical Collection
     Hours of Operation
     Contact Information
     Rules for Use of SCSU Historical Collection Materials
     Reproduction Policies and Fees
     Publication Policy
     Copyright Policy
     Holdings
     Finding Aids
     Collection Development Policy
     SCSU Historical Collection Policies and Procedures Manual

SCSU HISTORICAL COLLECTION HISTORY

The South Carolina State University (SCSU) Historical Collection began as a project in 1975 under the administration of the Miller F. Whittaker Library staff. The SCSU Historical Committee was appointed by the Dean of Library and Information Services, and members of the library staff served on the committee. The committee organized materials and a staff member was assigned to work in the collection when time permitted. The first archivist was hired in January 1997. Since the hiring of the collection's second archivist in October 1999, the collection, as well as its usage, has grown significantly.  SCSU Historical Collection Archivist and Coordinator Aimee B. James received the South Carolina Archival Association's first Program Innovation Award in 2001.

SCSU HISTORICAL COLLECTION MISSION STATEMENT

The South Carolina State University Historical Collection is part of the Miller F. Whittaker Library.  The primary mission of the Miller F. Whittaker Library is “to provide access to and delivery of information resources to support research methodology and critical thinking, instruction, self-development, lifelong learning skills, and the mission of the University. . . .”  The role of the SCSU Historical Collection in accomplishing this mission is to collect, organize, preserve, and make accessible primary source materials relating to the history of the University and the local community, in accordance with accepted archival principles.  In keeping with the library’s commitment to serve students, faculty, and the community, the SCSU Historical Collection promotes the use of these materials by the SCSU community, scholars, and the public.

Revised 2/2001

MATERIALS SOUGHT BY THE SCSU HISTORICAL COLLECTION

In accordance with its mission statement, the primary objectives of the SCSU Historical Collection are to collect, organize, preserve and make accessible materials pertinent to the University, its history, and the history of the local community. The Collection is comprised of materials deposited/donated by University offices, administrators, alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends. The collection includes but is not limited to the following types of materials: annual reports, administrative papers (i.e., University presidential records), departmental records, correspondence, speeches, brochures, oral history tapes, theses and dissertations written by students, faculty and alumni. The SCSU Historical Collection offers a unique view into South Carolina history through artifacts and memorabilia.  The SCSU Historical Collection also welcomes donations of materials reflecting the history and experience of the local African-American community and alumni serving in exemplary roles.  The following list details the types of materials accepted by the SCSU Historical Collection.

Non-Current Office Records
 

	Constitutions and by-laws, minutes and proceedings, transcripts, lists of officers of University corporate bodies
	Office files (correspondence and memoranda, subject files concerning projects, activities, and functions)
	Historical files documenting policies, decisions, committee and task force reports, questionnaires
	Publications (programs, journals, monographs, newsletters, brochures, posters, and announcements issued by the University or its subdivisions)—the SCSU Historical Collection should be placed on all college, departmental, and office mailing lists to receive all future publications
	Visual and audio materials (photographs, films, and sound and video recordings)
	Personal papers of students, faculty, and staff related to the University’s work

Personal Papers of Faculty, Staff, and Alumni
 

	Biographical information (resumes, vitae, bibliographies, memoirs, genealogies, published and manuscript biographical sketches)
	University official correspondence and files (outgoing and incoming letters and memoranda relating to departmental and University business, committee minutes, reports, and files)
	Professional correspondence (outgoing and incoming) with colleagues, publishers, professional organizations, and former students
	Teaching material (lecture notes, syllabi, course outlines, reading lists, examinations, and correspondence with students)
	Publications (articles, books, reviews, or works of art)
	Visual and audio materials (photographs, films, and sound and video recordings)
	Personal and family correspondence, diaries, and photographs
	Artifacts and memorabilia

DONATING MATERIALS TO THE SCSU HISTORICAL COLLECTION

If you wish to donate materials to the SCSU Historical Collection, please contact us.  We will determine if the materials fall within our collecting policy (that is, are relevant to SCSU, its history, and the history of the local community).  If necessary, we will make arrangements for the transportation of the materials.  When an individual donates materials to the collection, the proper forms MUST be filled out.  These forms transfer legal ownership of the materials (including copyright) from the donor to the Historical Collection, and without them, we have no actual proof of ownership.  The forms also allow donors to receive proper credit for the materials they have donated.

HOURS OF OPERATION

Regular Hours:
Monday-Friday   8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Intersession Hours:
Monday-Friday    8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Appointments are not necessary; however, if access to materials is desired
outside of regular operating hours, an appointment is required.

CONTACT INFORMATION

SCSU Historical Collection

Miller F. Whittaker Library

S.C. State University

P.O. Box 7491

Orangeburg, SC 29117-0001

Phone:  (803) 536-8627 or (803) 536-8628

Fax:  (803) 516-4726

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This page was last updated January 16, 2007.

Please send comments and suggestions to: dcgramling@scsu.edu.