Collection Development Policy

As a unit of the University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries, the staff of the Rare Book & Texana Collections (hereafter “RBTC”) seeks to acquire, preserve, and provide access to materials that will support the various research and educational programs of the university.

The members of the staff are the custodians of collections of materials that possess historic, artistic and cultural significance; as such, the unit seeks to acquire materials that will enhance the research of current and future generations. The unit uses its modest budget to acquire items that enhance currently existing collections. These purchases are often supplemented through gifts and donations. All potential purchases, gifts, and donations are reviewed by the Curator to be considered for inclusion. Guidelines set forth in this document are to be used in selecting materials, and the endowments specific to the unit have additional guidelines and regulations that must be followed. Funding for the RBTC comes from several sources:

Rare Books Materials Budget
Friends Endowment
Martha Anna Olsen Memorial Endowment: European Studies
Porter-Evans Endowment: Texana
Vann Victorian Endowment: British Literature
Pat Warde Endowment: Southern Literature

A. Preservation and Security

Preservation of collection materials is crucial to the ongoing operations of the RBTC. The majority of the collection is housed in Willis Library and features a temperature and humidity controlled environment and fire detection and suppression systems. The collection is non-circulating and is maintained in closed stacks. Security measures include an alarm system that is monitored by the UNT Police Department.

B. Exhibitions

Materials from the RBTC are featured, as appropriate, in exhibitions mounted in the Rare Book Room and online. We will consider requests to loan materials and approve reproductions for exhibition to other institutions when the policies and facilities of those institutions meet acceptable standards and proper credit is given to the RBTC.

C. Outreach

We seek to promote the use and development of the collection through an outreach program that increases public awareness of the nature and relevance of the collection. This program includes exhibitions, presentations, publications, press releases, and notification of new acquisitions to appropriate members of the University community.

D. Patrons Served by the Collections

Materials from the RBTC are made available to researchers on equal terms, subject to the appropriate care and handling of the materials by the researcher. Researchers may include faculty and staff, students from UNT and other institutions, independent researchers, and the general public. Individuals under age sixteen may use selected materials when accompanied by a parent or guardian. All researchers must provide proper photo identification.

Collecting Areas

Collecting is selective in all areas. Where possible, items considered for purchase will support as many areas of study at UNT as possible. The collections may be enhanced through the guidance of faculty and researchers.

In general, items considered for purchase will meet one or more of the following criteria:

·        Enhances existing collections, strengthening their research value.

·        Fills a research need or gap within the collections.

·        Does not typically duplicate other materials in the UNT Libraries.

·        Of historical or artifactual value.

·        In the best possible condition that we can afford.

·        Limited edition (usually under 500 copies).

·        Associated with a person or event of note.

·        Contain inscription(s).

·        Items printed prior to 1850.

Currently, we are actively enhancing our collections in the following areas:

·        Research materials pertaining to miniature books

·        Historic pop-up and movable books

·        Fine bindings

·        Costume/fashion history

The above does not represent a complete inventory of all of our collecting areas, but is instead a list of the areas in which the RBTC is actively collecting. The collections may be enhanced through gift or transfer items which fit one or more of the criteria listed above or are unusual formats that would not circulate well in the regular collections. We do not generally accept non-print items unless approved by the Curator as valuable supplements to currently existing collection materials. If a donation does not fit any of our subject area criteria, it may still be accepted after evaluation by the Curator, if it is significant enough to begin a new subject area within our holdings.

Additional Collection Policies

A. Deed of Gift

The RBTC will not accept materials without a legal transfer of title, deed of gift, or other official acknowledgment.

B. Restricted Materials

The RBTC will not accept materials that are not available for public access in perpetuity.

C. Deaccessioning

The RBTC reserves the right to transfer ownership of any materials within the collection that do not fall within the collecting areas of the RBTC.  Such items may be transferred to a more appropriate collection within the UNT Libraries or deaccessioned, subject to the terms of acquisition, University regulations, and state and federal laws.

D. Revision of Policies

The RBTC reserves the right to change the preceding policies without notification to heirs of donors.

Review of Collection Development Policy

This collection development policy is designed to meet the goals of the UNT Libraries and the Rare Book and Texana Collections. On an annual basis, this policy will be reviewed, evaluated, and changed as necessary to meet these goals.