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The Archives & Special Collections is the main repository for official and unofficial records documenting the history of the college.
In addition, the collections support the liberal arts scholarship of the local academic community, and serves to document the broader cultural heritage of Lancaster county, and southern Pennsylvania.
Archives & Special Collections make materials available to Franklin & Marshall faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the community with proper registration.
Strengths of the collections include the German-American Imprint Collection, the Napoleon Collection, the Herbert Rawnsley Autograph Collection, the Franklin J. Schnaffer Collection, the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association Collection the World War I Poster Collection, the Reynolds Family Collection, the Mifflin Family Collection, and the Franklin and Marshall College Archives.
1. Research
Materials collected and made available shall further the research of all scholars exploring the history of Franklin and Marshall College and the surrounding region. In order to support all levels of research, Archives & Special Collections shall seek to provide exhaustive resources on the history of Franklin and Marshall College and the greater Susquehanna Valley.
2. Preservation
Crucial to the ongoing operation of Archives & Special Collections is the preservation of research materials. Collections are stored in accordance to established archival techniques in a secure, climate-controlled environment. All collections are non-circulating, and may not be removed from the reading room. In addition, all visitors must register upon arrival, and agree to written guidelines governing the use and handling of the collections. Digital records are migrated from obsolete media and formats. Records on deteriorating media are digitized. All records in digital form are stored following digital preservation best practices.
3. Exhibitions
Archives & Special Collections hosts both traditional and web based exhibits on a rotating basis. Exhibitions are prepared by library staff, and feature rare books, archival materials, and manuscript collections.
4. Outreach
Archives & Special Collections seeks to further the use and development of the collections through an ongoing series of exhibitions, publications, tours, and web based resources. Information about the collections is available on the Archives & Special Collections website, and through regional and national directories such as Archives Finder and the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections.
5. Acquisitions
Archives & Special Collections acquires materials through internal transfer, external donation, and purchase. Donation of materials is essential in supporting the mission of the institution, and the support of donors is greatly appreciated. Grant funding for special projects is also sought when such projects will contribute to the appraisal, arrangement, exhibition, or preservation of the collections.
1. Faculty/Staff
College faculty and staff, as well as visiting scholars, are welcome to use Archives & Special Collections with proper registration.
2. Graduate and Undergraduate Students
Resident undergraduate students, as well as visiting students, are welcome to use Archives & Special Collections with proper registration.
3. Alumni
Graduates of Franklin and Marshall College, as well as Franklin and Marshall Academy, are welcome to use Archives & Special Collections with proper registration.
4. Public
Members of the public are welcome to use Archives & Special Collections with proper registration.
1. Present Identified Strengths
Strengths of Archives & Special Collections include the German-American Imprint Collection, the Napoleon Collection, the Herbert Rawnsley Autograph Collection, the Franklin J. Schnaffer Collection, the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association Collection, the World War I Poster Collection, the Reynolds Family Collection, the Mifflin Family Collection, and the Franklin and Marshall College Archives.
2. Present Collecting Priorities
In addition to building upon its existing strengths, Archives & Special Collections seeks to develop its collections in the following subject areas:
Agricultural History of Pennsylvania
Antarctic and Pacific Exploration
Artists' Books
Benjamin Franklin Monographs, Pamphlets, and Imprints
Civil Rights Literature
Fore-edge painting
History of Physics and Mathematics
Illustrated Literature
Miniature Books
Ornithology
Archives & Special Collections includes materials of the following types/formats regardless of medium (analog or digital):
Duplicates and materials that do not reflect the subject areas and/or types of materials collected by Archives & Special Collections may be deaccessioned according to established guidelines, and offered to more appropriate institutions.
1. Deed of Gift
Archives & Special Collections will not accept materials without a deed of gift. Please see the Archives & Special Collections Gift Policy for further information.
2. Closed Collections and Collections on Loan
Archives & Special Collections will not accept collections of materials that are closed to public access in perpetuity. In addition, Archives & Special Collections will not accept collections on temporary or permanent loan.
3. Public Exhibitions
Archives & Special Collections reserves the right to include unrestricted materials in exhibition displays and publications in accordance with accepted archival procedures and practices.
4. Exhibition Loans
Materials will be loaned to other libraries and museums when conditions for exhibition are favorable to the policies of the Franklin and Marshall College Library. Written approval will be granted upon the satisfactory demonstration of proper insurance coverage, transportation, and environmental monitoring.