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Locating Materials in the Archives |
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Overview: We have the world's largest collection of items and documents related to the Deaf community, its history and culture. With more than four million documents and thousands of photographs, artworks, films, videotapes, slides, negatives, graphics, and artifacts, we are very proud of our repository. Those items are divided into the following collections: autographs, Deaf rare publications, Deaf school reports, graphics/photos/films, institutional records, manuscripts, periodicals, rare books, small manuscripts, student records, and vertical files. For a description of each collection, visit the Collections pages. The Gallaudet University Library also has a collection of Deaf Books, Videotapes, and Periodicals that are more recent. To maximize research
time effectively, we strongly recommend that researchers start with
the vertical files. Our vertical files usually consist of a folder on a
subject or individual, containing news clippings, basic information, and
photocopies from our original collections. The vertical files often
provide guidance for the researcher. The
vertical
files often tell the researcher if we
have more information in our manuscripts and small manuscripts
collections. They provide basic background information on the
individual/subject and provides for a springboard to other
potential resources for use in research projects. INTRODUCTION TO ARCHIVAL HOLDINGS We collect original materials also known as primary sources. Most of our holdings are unpublished materials and were created by an individual or organization. A collection may consist of only a few papers organized into a Small Manuscripts (SMSS) collection or consist of hundreds of boxes divided into series. A box, on average, holds up to 850 documents. The arrangement of archival materials differ inherently from library holdings and we urge you to utilize our website and finding aids to assist you in your research project. We have linked to ALADIN, the University's On-Line Library Catalog, for your convenience. ALADIN lists most of our holdings. ORGANIZATION OF ARCHIVAL HOLDINGS Archival records, particularly manuscripts and small manuscripts, tend to include biographical/historical sketches, a scope and content description (a summary of materials in collection), series descriptions for large collections, and folder lists. Some collections include indexes of names or major subjects if the collection warrants such an index. Not all collections are described with the same amount of detail. The catalog lists our collections and provide basic sketches of our holdings. For detailed information, see either our website or visit the archives for our finding aids which provide a more detailed guide. Our collections are stored in seven different locations: The Vault, The Records Room, The Gallaudet Records Room, The Deaf Copy One Room, The Archives Reference Room, Photograph Repository, and off-site. The vault contains our manuscripts, small manuscripts, some artwork, Deaf Rare Books, Autographed Books, photographs, and more valuable holdings. The Records Room holds commonly used holdings: school reports, some departmental records, and periodicals. The Gallaudet Records Room holds all records of the University and its various departments as well as other artworks. Deaf Copy One is where we store all museum artifacts and objects, films, and unprocessed collections. The Archives Reference Room holds our vertical files and microfilms. The Photograph Repository holds all of Gallaudet University's photographs as well as other photographs dating from the 1840s- present. Our off-site storage stores student records and other holdings. COMMON CALL NUMBERS TO KNOW
MSS: Manuscripts
*DEAF STACKS are separate from the
regular collection and can be found aside the Archives.
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Gallaudet University
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