176.1 Special Collections

176.1 Special Collections

A. Background

For more than a hundred (100) years the Furman University library has had a special collections area. Originally serving as the official archives for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the mission and goals of Special Collections has expanded to include University Archives; faculty, student, and alumni publications; Furman master's theses; rare books; and other primary source materials.

B.Policy

Special Collections is responsible for the acquisition, processing, preservation, and dissemination of materials of archival and/or monetary value within nationally accepted standards of archival management. Since preservation is the raison d'etre for special collection, all materials housed in special collections must be used in that area. The Archivist works actively with South Carolina Baptist churches in gathering and processing church records and memorabilia.

C. Guidelines

1. Special Collections, located on the second floor, contains the South Carolina Baptist Historical Collection, the Furman University Collection and Archives, and a small collection of rare or primary source materials.

2. Special Collections actively solicits, collects, organizes, and makes available books, manuscripts and primary resource materials related to the University and South Carolina Baptists.

3. Access to Special Collections is available only through the Special Collections office on the second floor.

4. Hours for Special Collections are posted on the door to the department and on the library webpage. Hours between terms, during holiday periods, and during the summer may be abbreviated. Such changes are posted in advance. Other hours may be arranged by calling the Special Collections Librarian for an appointment.

5. The Baptist Historical Collection consists of books on Baptist history, church records and memorabilia, associational minutes and annual reports, and archives of the General Board of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. As part of an agreement with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the Baptist Historical Collection provides the following services:

• Microfilming of church records and associational minutes and annual reports. Churches affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention may participate in this service at no cost to the local church, unless the church also wants a copy of the microfilm for its records. The original records are returned to the church after microfilming.
• Consulting services for helping South Carolina Baptist Convention affiliated churches develop strong records preservation procedures and for writing church histories.
• Exhibits at the annual South Carolina Baptist Convention.
• Represents the South Carolina Baptist Historical Society and Collection at the annual convention of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and other Southern Baptist meetings.

6. The Furman University Collection and Archives includes University Archives (See also File 011.2.), books and articles published by Furman faculty, students, and alumni, original copies of Furman master's theses, audiotapes of Religion-in-Life convocations, videotapes, and a photographic collection.

7. The Rare Book Collection contains a collection of miscellaneous items which require restricted access. Items in the Rare Book Collection are listed on ALCUIN.

8. Only Special Collections staff using a special book photocopier or scanner are permitted to make copies from bound volumes housed in Special Collections. A microfilm reader/printer is available in Special Collections for patrons wishing to make photocopies from Special Collections microfilm.

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