I. Statement of Purpose
The Local History Collection Development Policy establishes guidelines for the collection, organization and maintenance of materials that document the history of the Town of Amherst, New Hampshire.
As the Local History Collection is a key component of the Library’s collection, the development of this collection follows the general guidelines set out in the Amherst Town Library Collection Development Policy and is based on the principles of intellectual freedom and equal access for all. The Local History Collection Development Policy is aimed at further definition of this specific collection and key procedures in building and maintaining this resource. This policy is meant to supplement the Amherst Town Library Collection Development Policy.
II. Scope of the Collection
The primary focus of the Local History Collection is materials that document the history of the Town of Amherst. Whereas the geographic boundaries of the Town of Amherst once extended to include the towns of Hollis, Milford, Merrimack, Monson, and Mont Vernon, historical materials relating to these adjacent towns are also part of this collection. In so far as they provide a historical context and assist in the use of the primary collection, materials relating to the State of New Hampshire will be included. And, as the colonial settlement of Amherst played a role in the unique development of New England, some relevant materials relating to colonial New England may also be included.
III. Users
Current and future Amherst residents and researchers interested in our community heritage are the target audience and the primary users of the Local History Collection. The Collection is open to the public and available to all individuals on equal terms, subject to the appropriate care and handling of the materials.
IV. The Local History Collection Defined
A. Formats
The Amherst Town Library will collect a variety of print, electronic, and multi-media formats related to the history of the Town of Amherst.
The Library will not generally accept the following formats: three dimensional artifacts, items in poor condition, items with restrictions on use, and materials that reflect the history of an area other than as defined above (II. Scope of the Collection).
B. Subject
The Amherst Town Library will collect materials that relate specifically to the Town of Amherst including, but not limited to, the following subjects:
- Town administration [including Town Reports and Board of Selectmen’s Meeting minutes]
- Prominent individuals and families
- Religious and social organizations
- Places of interest (schools [including SHS yearbooks], historic homes and public buildings, cemeteries, churches, land)
- Business and industry
- Significant Amherst events/celebrations/anniversaries/dedications [including microfilm of The Cabinet and The Amherst Citizen]
- Histories of the Town [including complete cemetery records]
- Relevant materials on other NH towns, state of New Hampshire, and Colonial New England that provide historical context and assist in research on Amherst
C. Time Period
The Amherst Town Library places no limitations on the chronological periods collected.
V. Management
Head of Reference and Adult Programming will collect and maintain the Local History Collection.
All purchasing decisions are subject to the Library Director’s approval.
A. Acquisition of New Materials in the Local History Collection
The Head of Reference and Adult Programming will keep the collection current for those items identified as being part of the collection (Town Reports, BOS Meeting Minutes, SHS yearbooks, microfilm of The Cabinet and The Amherst Citizen, and cemetery records): and, The Head of Reference and Adult Programming will stay abreast of any new publications that match the scope and definition of the Local History Collection stated above (II. Scope of the Collection and IV. The Local History Collection Defined).
B. Donations
The Amherst Town Library will accept donations to the Local History Collection provided the materials fall within the scope and definition of this unique collection. The Library will not accept conditions relating to the gift and reserves the right to dispose of the gift, at its discretion, when it no longer fits the needs or scope of the collection.
The Amherst Town Library reserves the right to refuse an offered gift.
C. Cooperative Agreements and Loans
Under special circumstances, the Amherst Town Library may enter into a cooperative agreement with another organization/s in order to preserve historical materials and/or make them more widely available.
Under special circumstances, items from the Amherst Town Library may be loaned to other institutions for exhibition
D. Photocopying/Photo Duplication
Most items may be photographed/photocopied by the user. However, restrictions may be placed on some especially fragile items. The Library reserves the right to limit or refuse copying of materials because of copyright, condition, or other special considerations.
E. Display and Arrangement of the Collection
Materials may be kept in locking cases and/or acid-free boxes to support the preservation of unique or fragile items.
VI. Review of Policy
The Amherst Town Library reserves the right to change the preceding policies in order to meet the goals of the Amherst Town Library. The Head of Reference and Adult Programming will review the policy annually for currency, accuracy, and completeness. Specific changes will be made throughout the year as the need for them arises.
Created and submitted for approval to the Library Board of Trustees on 05/15/2013
Reviewed 5/15/2014
Reviewed 5/11/2015