Mission and collecting policy

Mission

The main purpose of the Archive Centre is to select, preserve and make available the archives and special collections of the University to the highest standards. The three main objectives are:

  1. To make available archives and special collections in accordance with professional practice and to promote their use as informational, cultural and research resources.
  2. To identify and select archives and special collections of enduring value.
  3. To preserve the archives and special collections for current and future use.

The Institutional Archive contains the official records of Glasgow Caledonian University and its predecessor bodies. These records worthy of permanent preservation give evidence about the functions, policies and decisions of the University and ensure its historical continuity.

Other deposited archives and special collections enhance the research and curricula needs of the University and contribute to an understanding of local and national heritage.

The Collecting Policy

  1. Glasgow Caledonian University's Archive Centre houses a unique and internationally important collection of archives and special collections. It is part of the University Library within the Directorate of Learning and Student Experience. Along with our own history we house collections which contribute to an understanding of local and national heritage with a broad underlining theme of social justice.
  2. As keeper of the corporate memory we are committed to collecting and preserving our institutional history through internal departmental transfer and donations from former staff and students. We collect those records of enduring historical and evidential significance which document the main functions of the university.
  3. We also aim to build on existing areas of collection strength and to support learning, teaching and research in the following key areas:
    • Scottish social enterprise
    • Scottish creative arts
    • Scottish social work, social policy and child welfare
    • Scottish left wing politics, trades unions and pressure groups
    • The University and its history
  4. We will also consider collecting material related to the university's other areas of research and teaching. We actively seek to acquire collections in new areas in anticipation of, or in response to, changing academic needs and interests.
  5. When considering the acquisition of material we will take the following factors into consideration which may affect the final decision:
    • Size of collection
    • Condition of material (for example if material is in a poor condition that prevents it from being used, suffers from mould or insect infestation, or requires major conservation or repair work)
    • Access (for example if restrictions placed on access to material by the depositor make use of the collection difficult)
    • Resources available for cataloguing and preservation
  6. We acquire archives and special collections by internal transfer or by gift, bequest or deposit. We do not normally accept material on loan.
  7. In acquiring archives and special collections, every effort will be made to avoid competition, conflict and duplication with the collecting policies of other record repositories and libraries. We will seek to liaise with other institutions when necessary to ensure that material is secured in the most appropriate place of deposit.
  8. We reserve the right to conduct periodic reviews of our archives and special collections and to select for disposal any material deemed no longer worthy of permanent preservation.