84 · Representative Documents: Collection Development Policies
National Library of Medicine
Collection Development Policy. Images and Archives Section
Collection Development Policy—Images and Archives -6 -
5. Fine arts prints or photographs with medical themes, especially from contemporary
photographers or printmakers, to continue the excellent fine-print collection.
Historical Audiovisuals
1. We should consider acquiring any film or video produced prior to 1950 that is
related to medicine and health, unless widely available in copies elsewhere. These are
rare materials, and build to our considerable collection strength.
2. Genre considerations—from most important to least important.
a. Documentation (of clinical practice, field research, or laboratory research),
including home movies and “orphan films.”
b. Documentaries.
c. Instructional materials.
d. Public service announcements/media features.
e. Promotional or celebratory materials.
f. Video conference proceedings (but tend to acquire if this is the only form in
which these proceedings exist or if the speakers are very prominent).
3. Access— not in rank order.
a. Materials where a copy does not exist in another publicly accessible research
collection.
b. Materials that are in the pubic domain, or where the donor will agree to put
them in the public domain or to substantially lower the copyright term.
c. Materials that are in good physical condition, and in a usable format, or
where library resources exist to transfer to a suitable medium.
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