Emporia State University Libraries and Archives – Archives and Historical Collections

Collection Development Policy

Archives and historical collections are collected and preserved for their value to the teaching and research mission of ESU rather than their intrinsic value. Growth of the archives and historical collections is consequently limited. Archives and historical collections may be acquired through donation or purchase.

The following materials are collected:

• Official and unofficial records of Emporia State University (also named Kansas State Normal School, Kansas State Teachers College, and Emporia Kansas State College), and its administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni
• Historical materials that represent Emporia State University in its regional, national and global context, but that are not created by or for Emporia State University or its affiliates
• Select, unofficial records of the College of Emporia
• Published and unpublished materials on the subject of William Allen White and his family
• Rare books that meet the following criteria: Limited editions of less than 250; Editions printed before 1820; Known significant provenance, preferably including textual evidence; or other special categories (e.g. books that demonstrate a special binding or printing technique)
• Collections of original children’s book illustrations, personal papers of children’s book authors, editors and publishers, and collections of multi-media adaptations of children’s books
• Out-of-print and hard-to-find children’s books
• Other historically or culturally significant resources that support the mission of Emporia State University

With the exception of collecting rare books and children’s books, the Archivist discourages the acquisition of individual titles or items; rather, complete sets of records, papers, or collections are preferred.

The monetary and sentimental value of items under consideration for acquisition will not be considered.

For more information about donating materials to Emporia State University Archives, please contact the University Archivist, Heather A. Wade, at 620-340-8090. Please do not ship materials to the University Archives until acceptance of your donation has been confirmed in writing by the University Archivist.