Archives Collection Development Policy

In order to fulfill our mission of being the primary source for TCU historical material, the archives’ collection development policy emphasizes records created by university faculty, staff, and students. In particular, the archives seeks to document the undergraduate experience and the university’s activities in the areas of teaching, administration, and sustainability.

The three primary collecting areas are university records, Fort Worth historical records, and emerging collecting interests. The archivist is responsible for making accessioning decisions and will work with other library and campus departments as necessary when bringing new material into the archives. Only those records deemed to have enduring value will be selected for permanent preservation in the archives.

University records appropriate for the archive

  • Minutes, memoranda, correspondence, and reports of the Board of Trustees
  • Records of the Office of the Chancellor, including correspondence, administrative subject files, reports, and minutes from the Chancellor’s Cabinet meetings
  • Correspondence, subject files, and reports of all administrative offices
  • Correspondence, subject files, and reports of the deans, directors, and administrators of the schools, colleges, divisions, and programs of the university
  • Correspondence, biographical material, research files, lecture notes, and syllabi from faculty members
  • Minutes, memoranda, and reports of all major academic and administrative commissions, councils and committees including the Faculty Senate and Staff Assembly
  • Departmental records, including minutes, reports, correspondence, and syllabi
  • Accreditation reports and supporting documentation
  • Annual budget and audit reports
  • Records of student organizations including the Student Government Association, Graduate Student Senate, and the various groups affiliated with Inclusiveness and Intercultural Services
  • Alumni records, including the minutes of the alumni association and papers, correspondence, and publications of prominent alumni
  • All publications distributed in the name of TCU including catalogs, yearbooks, student newspaper, newsletters, press releases, and event programs
  • Photographs, negatives, slides, audio and video film, tapes and reels, oral history interviews, and optical and compact discs documenting the development of the university
  • Maps, prints, and architectural drawings documenting the physical changes and development of the university

Fort Worth History

In order to assist in the preservation of the history of Fort Worth and to better serve researchers in the community and on campus, the archives will seek to acquire appropriate Fort Worth historical records whenever possible.

Fort Worth historical records appropriate for the archives include:

  • Papers (correspondence, subject files, and select memorabilia) of prominent Fort Worth or Tarrant County residents
  • Records documenting the history and operation of businesses or organizations in Fort Worth or Tarrant County

Emerging collecting interests

The archives will investigate and, when feasible, pursue ways to diversify its holdings in both subject matter and format. These efforts may include partnering with academic departments on campus and collaborating with Fort Worth institutions.

Steps to further these emerging collecting interests may include:

  • Administering oral history projects
  • Collaborating with other cultural institutions in the city on a digital images project to be linked to from the library’s digital repository

Reviewed May 25, 2012 by Special Collections staff.