Collection Development Policy
Mission Statement
Lavery Library Special Collections seeks to collect, preserve, arrange and provide access to the rare and unique materials housed in the collection in order to promote the use of these materials by the St. John Fisher College community, scholars and the public.
General Collection Development Policy
The focus of the collection is Social Conflict & Discovery. The collection encompasses items from 1829-1961, but concentrates on the years 1865-1914. Geographically the collection focuses on the Rochester Region and New York State.
Collection Development Policy — Rochester Radio History
The Rochester Radio History Collection is an exception to the General Collection Development Policy. Geographically the collection focuses on the Rochester Region and has no chronological limits. In addition to the material types listed below, types of material collected also include audio recordings.
Current Subject Areas Collected
| Topics | People | |
|---|---|---|
| Slavery/Abolition The Civil War Native American Social & Legal Issues The Grand Army of the Republic |
Frederick Douglass Alexander M. Stewart Monsignor Edward Byrne George Palmer Decker |
1851-1860 1882-1962 1880-1952 1861-1936 |
Types of Material Collected
Books, periodicals, manuscripts, letters, diaries, newspapers, photographs, maps, and ephemeral material such as conference programs, pamphlets, tourist brochures, and dedications.
Collecting Guidelines
Materials may be acquired by gift, bequest, purchase, or any other transaction that passes title of the materials to Lavery Library Special Collections. We are not currently actively seeking new acquisitions, but will consider gifts and bequests. Costs associated with acquisition, cataloging, preservation, and maintenance of collections, as well as space restraints must be taken into account when considering adding collections. Preference will be given to collections where external financial support for processing, preservation and/or staffing of collections is available. The Library Director will have final approval on all acquisitions.
Items that are not consistent with the Lavery Library Special Collections Mission Statement or Collection Development Policy will be considered candidates for withdrawal from the collection. These items may be transferred to another institution or sold when appropriate as deemed by the Library Director.
Loan of Materials
Items may be loaned for a period of no longer than one calendar year. Adherence to the ACRL Guidelines for Borrowing and Lending Special Collections Materials for Exhibition is required. A loan agreement must be completed. The Library Director has final authority on all special collection loans.