Donations of Items to Archives

Collection Development Policy
Office of Archives
Archdiocese of Dubuque

The Archives office at the Archdiocese of Dubuque endeavors to collect documents and artifacts that directly reflect the spirit, mission, and history of the Archdiocese. It is this guiding principle that is used to make determinations about collecting and/or receiving items into the Archives. The limiting nature of this policy can be understood in the context of space requirements. With limited storage comes selective acquisition.

Examples of items accepted by the Archives:

• Parish history books
• Parish directories
• Letters written to/by priests/archbishops of the Archdiocese
• Newspaper clippings directly related to the Archdiocese
• Liturgical items having belonged to parishes or priests in the Archdiocese (the aim is not to collect but rather to find new homes for these items)
• Blueprints of churches and schools in Archdiocese
• Paintings/prints/photos of people, institutions, or entities directly tied to the Archdiocese

Examples of items not accepted by the Archives:

• Books and other publications not directly related to the Archdiocese
• Religious items of unknown provenance/origin
• Duplicate materials already appearing in Archives
• Items in poor condition that would take significant resources to restore
• Large items that would take up significant space