Today's Hours:
The Special Collections and University Archives are located in Room 110, which is on the first floor on the side opposite the entrance to the Henry Whittemore Library.
Materials in the collections are available for research use from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Monday through Friday, or by appointment.
Archival and Special Collection materials are non-circulating.
Framingham State University authorizes the University Archivist/Special Collections Librarian to seek and obtain for research and preservation the professional and personal manuscripts, records, papers and related materials of academic and administrative staff and the records of student and faculty organizations and activities associated with the University. Retired and former faculty members, administrative officers, and alumni are also encouraged to place their papers in the University Archives to insure the documentation of their role in the development of the University and its programs and projects.
Collections and manuscripts are accessioned primarily for their historical research value and will generally document the history of the Framingham State University, the Massachusetts State University System, its community, and related activities. The historical resources of the Archives are available for public use on the premises during regular business hours, although access restrictions to specific collections may be specified in the donor agreement.
All records are reviewed for material that contains sensitive or private information. Transfer and donor agreements and deeds of gift will specify which rights (other than physical) are being transferred to the University Archives. Unless specified to the contrary, intellectual property rights remain with the creator of the records being transferred according to U.S. Copyright Law. Generally, physical property rights are transferred to the University Archives; donors who wish to ensure their own physical property rights to their collections are encouraged to transfer their records as a temporary or permanent loan. The Archives can assume no responsibility for abuse of copyright restrictions by users of research materials.
The University Archives reserves the right to reevaluate and reappraise historical material in its holdings and to deaccession them if and when appropriate. Deaccessioned collections and items weeded from collections during processing, due to duplication, irrelevance, limited use, or deterioration, will be offered to the original donor if so requested at the time of donation. If the donor wishes not to reclaim the material or cannot be located, the University Archives reserves the right to offer the material to other depositories or discard the items. The University Archivist identifies potential deaccessions and recommends disposition methods for material deemed expendable.
Donations of historical material to a public research facility may be tax deductible. However, the Framingham State University Archives cannot appraise donations for tax purposes. For the protection of the donor, it is recommended that such appraisals be done by a disinterested third party and before title to the material is conveyed to the University Archives.
Special Collections
The Framingham State University Special Collections collects rare books via purchase and donations in a number of subject areas. The Special Collections will accept donations of rare books, particularly if they fit into the major areas of collecting with which it has a strength:
These areas are subject to review and addition. Framingham State University will not accept donations of books where ownership of the books has not been transferred to the College. Framingham State University further reserves the right to dispose of any donated materials that do not fit within our areas of collecting.
The University Archivist advises offices and personnel on the retention of records and is prepared to assist in the transfer process. Before arranging the physical transfer of records to the Archives, please contact the Archivist. The Archives is responsible for storing records under secure conditions.
The records of Framingham State University are defined as all materials produced or received by a department, office, unit, or employee of the college in the conduct of his/her/its business and operations. The Archives includes, but is not limited to, official university records; university and student publications; photographs, films, video and audio recordings and slides; digital media; faculty and student club committee records; selected alumni papers; the papers of former members of the faculty and administration; graphical materials, including drawings and maps; memorabilia and other ephemeral materials; and other historically significant materials in other physical forms.
This list is intended only as a general guideline.
Records pertaining to the governing bodies, and administrative and academic units of Framingham State University that are collected and accessioned by the University Archives may include:
Records that that are not collected by the University Archives include:
Materials should be transferred in the order in which the records' creator maintained them. A letter or memorandum briefly describing the material and describing the activity(ies) to which it/they relate should accompany the transfer. If there are questions about records not listed here or questions about the retention or disposal or specific record series, please contact the University Archivist.