GSWC Library Collection Development Policy

& Donation Guidelines

This page provides a convenient, web-friendly version of the GSWC Library Collection Development Policy and Guidelines for Donations. Members are encouraged to consult this page before offering materials or funds to the library.

Official document: Download the Library Collection Development Policy (PDF)

Quick Links

• Collection Development Policy
• Guidelines for Donations of Library Materials and Funds
• Other Places to Donate

Collection Development Policy

Submitted: May 8, 2017
Submitted by: Barbara Snow, GSWC Librarian

The purpose of the GSWC Library is to provide a collection that will meet the needs of local genealogists through purchase or donation. Materials are acquired to achieve the following collection levels:

1. A comprehensive collection of:
   • Source material specific to Washtenaw County families
   • Washtenaw County histories pertinent to genealogical research
2. A strong collection of:
   • Manuals and how-to books covering research methodology
   • Specialized sources for research in states, counties, and foreign countries
   • Source materials for adjacent counties (Wayne, Monroe, Livingston, Lenawee, Jackson, Oakland, and Ingham), and selected other Michigan counties
3. A basic collection of:
   • Michigan research materials relevant to the state or its regions
   • Research guides for other states and countries
4. Records, publications, and materials of the Genealogical Society of Washtenaw County, including a complete run of Family History Capers and all cemetery indexes compiled by GSWC
5. Other material may be accepted if it:
   • Is predominantly genealogical in content
   • Covers a whole or significant portion of a state or country
   • Stands alone and is not part of a multivolume set
   • Includes published genealogies
   • Includes manuscript genealogies that are well organized and indexed, with a title page and statement of authorship
6. Newsletters and quarterlies from Michigan genealogical societies received on exchange are added to the collection as received. Newsletters are retained for three years; quarterlies are retained permanently.

Guidelines for Donations of Library Materials and Funds

The GSWC Library will accept:

1. Washtenaw County materials containing significant information of interest to family researchers
2. Copies and transcriptions of Bible records, maintained by the GSWC Bible Record Committee
3. Pedigree charts for members, maintained by the Ancestor Chart Committee
4. Source material specific to the United States and foreign countries, with the following exceptions. The GSWC Library will not accept:
   • Published census records readily available online
   • Materials that are primarily historical rather than genealogical
   • Materials specific to jurisdictions smaller than counties (outside Michigan) or smaller than provinces in foreign countries
   • Family Bibles
   • Materials in the following formats:
     • Photocopied material that violates copyright
     • Loose periodicals or partial multivolume sets (unless filling gaps)
     • CD, DVD, or VCR materials
     • Unbound or loose papers
     • Books without intact bindings
     • Notebooks, scrapbooks, or binders that are not well organized and indexed
     • Photo albums and personal scrapbooks
     • Computer software
     • Oversize pedigree or family charts not maintained by the Ancestor Chart Committee
     • Artifacts and ephemera
     • Most large multivolume sets, even if complete, due to space limitations

Materials may be accepted but later withdrawn to create shelf space. Materials not accepted, or later withdrawn, will be disposed of by GSWC.

Donations of funds may be earmarked only for purchases that comply with the GSWC Library Collection Development Policy.

Other Places to Donate

For genealogical materials not appropriate for the GSWC Library, consider donating to:

• Bentley Historical Library
• Pittsfield Township Historical Society
• Library of Michigan
• Salem Area Historical Society
• Ann Arbor District Library
• Saline Area Historical Society
• Archives of Michigan
• Washtenaw County Historical Society
• Manchester Historical Society
• Ypsilanti Historical Society & Archives

This web page is provided for convenient reading. The PDF version is the official policy document.