Archives

Introduction

Our Archives are a work in progress. We do not have formal finding aids, but we have developed a fairly detailed list of our current holdings. Click on the holdings link for a list, which is searchable by keyword.

We also have a large collection of photographs, mostly black and white from the 1980s. These are currently being organized and described and are not included in the holdings list.

If you find something in our holdings that you'd like to see in person, let us know. Please review the Rules for Using the Archives before you come in. You can also check out our Mission Statement to see what kind of materials we are collecting.

Holdings List

Videos List

Mission Statement

The Macon State College Archives has been established:

• To appraise, collect, organize, describe, preserve, and make available select College records of historical value;
• To provide facilities for the retention, preservation, servicing, and research use of such records;
• To provide documentation of the development and growth of the College, including its physical plant and grounds, and its role in the state of Georgia and the middle Georgia community;
• To provide documentation of the activities of students, faculty, administrators, and alumni as they relate to the College;
• To serve as a research center for the study of the College’s history by members of the Macon State College community and the scholarly community at large;
• To serve in a public relations capacity by promoting knowledge and understanding of the origins, programs, and goals of the College and their development.

In general, the Archives will collect:

• Policy statements, annual reports, subject reports, statistical summaries, correspondence, photographs, and other papers created in the process of the College carrying out its purpose and recording how the college carried out its reason for existing, its development and accomplishments.
• Official College publications: catalogs, student newspapers and literary magazines, yearbooks, alumni magazines, newsletters, admissions and fund-raising brochures, programs of events.
• Books by faculty, administrators, and alumni.
• Papers of retired faculty.
• Alumni memoirs, diaries, photographs, scrapbooks, correspondence, or other documents relating to the individual’s affiliation with Macon State College.
• Clippings and photographs relating to the campus, college personnel, alumni, and students.

The Archives generally will not collect:

• Three-dimensional, museum-type artifacts;
• Books, articles, or records simply because they were owned by someone associated with the College.
• Routine financial or enrollment records of the College and its students.

The final decision as to whether an item will be accepted into or retained in the Archives will be made by the Library Director.  Considerations will include whether the item fits the mission of the Archives and its collection policies, as well as well as physical and financial capacity of the Archives.

Holdings of the Archives will be open to all patrons conducting research; however, materials housed in the Archives do not circulate because of rarity and historic value.

Rules for Using the Archives

Making an appointment with the Library is recommended. Some of your requested items may take longer to locate than others. If you make an appointment, the librarian can have your request filled and waiting for you at your appointment time.

All users and visitors to the Archives are required to sign in. By signing in, you agree to abide by the rules. For the protection of our materials and collections, you may be denied access if you do not comply with the rules.

No materials, documents, or collections belonging to the Archives may be removed from the Archives without the express consent of the Reference Librarian, Assistant Librarian, or Director of the Library.

The Archives is monitored at all times for security. Visitors and researchers must be accompanied by a staff member.

While using our materials, you may have only paper, pencil, or a laptop computer with you. No pens are permitted.

All bags, containers, backpacks, purses, computer cases, coats, etc. must be left by the front desk while you are using the Archives. Neither the Archives nor the library is responsible for the security of your personal property.

While in the Archives, all personal electronic devices (i.e., cell phones) must be muted.

No food or drink, even in a covered container, is allowed in the Archives. No gum or mints or other edible items are allowed. No chewing gum is permitted.

Please handle all materials as if they were ancient and fragile. Turn pages gently, and lay your pencil down while handling the materials. You may be asked to wear gloves while handling photographs or very old items.

No self-service duplication of materials is permitted. You may not bring in your own scanner, cell phone with camera, or camera.

If you discover materials in need of rehousing or preservation treatment, please tell the Librarian.

Contact us:

Robin Grant
(478) 471-2709