Carnegie Library for Local History Donation Evaluation Questions
Provenance
- What is the provenance or background history of the donation?
- Who compiled the donation?
- Does the donor have the authority to transfer ownership?
- Did the subject of the donation play an important role in the city or county of Boulder?
If so, what role?
- Do the materials lead to a better understanding of under-represented groups such as ethnic groups, minorities, homeless, etc.?
- Does the staff believe patrons will find the materials useful?
- Are the donated materials unique to the Carnegie Library and not able to be found elsewhere?
- Does the donation add depth to the archive collections?
- Do the records appear to completely document a person, organization, etc.?
- Are there concerns regarding the physical condition of the donation (e.g. smell of mildew, mold, pets, or smoke? Signs of insect or rodent infestation?)
- Are the materials in order or organized?
- Are the subjects in the photographs identified?
- What is the value of the donation: administrative, legal, fiscal, evidential, or informational?
Processing
- Does the donation warrant the cost of archival supplies?
- What is the proportion of useful material to the overall size?
- Does Carnegie have the storage space required to house the donation?
- Will the donor provide financial backing for storage of collection?
- How much time is needed to organize the collection?
- Are there format considerations? (See digital donations below)
- Does the donation include any of the following types of materials:
- oversized
- film or electronic
- born-digital
- Are the contents unrestricted?