Archives & Special Collections

The Staubitz Archives are open to researchers. Please email help@carthage.edu to set a time and date for your research and a general idea of your topic so your visit can be as productive as possible. Please review the policies and how to use archives pages on our site prior to your visit.

Administrative Records

Administrative records provide information about how Carthage operates. Records from major offices include the Office of the President, Provost’s Office, Office of the Registrar, etc. Some of these records may be restricted. Our collections also contain official publications produced by Carthage.

Academic Life

Academic life is documented through selected papers and theses that provide information about the changing nature of teaching and the curriculum at Carthage. Official catalogs document the content of the curriculum offered by Carthage. Faculty papers provide information about their research interests and course development. Records of departmental clubs document the extra-curricular academic activities of students.

Biographical Records

Biographical records provide information about alumni, faculty, and staff. These files often contain photographs as well as letters, newspaper clippings, and other biographical materials.

Student Life

Letters, journals, and scrapbooks provide a personal glimpse into the world of past Carthage students. Programs, photographs, and records of athletic, musical, dramatic, and arts events, as well as records of political and social groups on campus, are resources for learning about many of the extracurricular activities of Carthage students. Student Government records document student governance on campus. Yearbooks, newspapers, and other student publications highlight literary and artistic creativity as well as document student life at Carthage.

Buildings and Grounds

Photographs, architectural and landscape drawings, and other records assist researchers interested in documenting the growth of Carthage’s various campuses, the construction and demolition of buildings, and the activities that took place in these buildings.

Audio & Visual Media

Audio-visual materials are another way to explore the rich history of Carthage. There are photographs, slides, professional and amateur films, tape recordings, LP records, CDs, videotapes, and DVDs available in the Staubitz Archives.

The Staubitz Archives welcomes all individuals to use its materials, whether you are a part of the Carthage community or a member of the general public.

It is the responsibility of the user to assist in the preservation of archival materials. Appropriate care should be exercised to ensure that future generations of researchers have access to these materials. Visitors are therefore requested to observe the following guidelines:

• The Archives is non-circulating and all requested materials are brought to researchers by Archives staff. Materials must remain in the reading room.
• All archival materials must be handled carefully. Use only one folder at a time and keep the papers in their existing order. Use pencil only and do not write on anything except your own paper.
• Do not separate out materials for reproduction.
• If you wish to publish material from the Archives, please credit: [Document Name], [Collection Name], Staubitz Archives, Carthage College.

Staubitz Archives Reproduction Policy

This policy provides the parameters for reproducing items in the Staubitz Archives by means of photocopying, scanning, digital photography, or publication.

Photocopies

• Users may photocopy documents that are in good condition on the public photocopier. Archives staff should be consulted prior to photocopying any item to ensure that brittle or large items are not damaged.
• The staff reserves the right to refuse reproduction privileges based on the condition of the item or internal restrictions.
• Reproductions are to be used within the definition of “fair use” under copyright law of the United States and are provided for research and study use of the grantee only. Reproductions must not be duplicated or made available to any other person or institution without written permission from the Staubitz Archives.
• Reproduction of non-print media will be duplicated only if the request is in accordance with the above regulations. It is the duty of the requesting party to secure permission and/or rights from the copyright holder or department of origin.

Photographs and Scanning

• The Staubitz Archives will supply photographs for publication or personal use.
• Photographs will not be loaned out for use. All photograph copies are and remain the property of Carthage College.
• The copyright for a majority of the photographs in the Staubitz Archives is held by Carthage College. For the photographs which were not taken by employees of Carthage College, the copyright is held by the various studios or photographers. It is the responsibility of the requestor to verify copyright and gain permission for use on all photographs.
• Supplying a photocopy or photograph is not an authorization to publish. See below for our rights and permissions statement.
• The photograph credit line should read as follows: Photograph courtesy of the Staubitz Archives, Carthage College and/or “x” Collection, Staubitz Archives, Carthage College.

The Staubitz Archives staff appreciates donations of unique materials. If you have items that would help to document the life of the College, we encourage you to take the following steps:

• Contact the Archives. The Archives staff works closely with donors to identify those materials that should be preserved. Please contact the Archives to discuss your materials’ eligibility. Due to staff and space limitations, the Archives cannot accept every donation.
• Send your materials to the Archives. After working with donors to identify materials appropriate for preservation, staff will advise donors on transporting items to Staubitz Archives. The legal transfer of the materials from the donor to the Archives occurs when the donor reviews and signs a gift agreement formally making a gift of the collection to the Archives. Please refer to this Deed of Gift form when dropping off your donation to the archives.
• Student paper donations: Carthage students that want to donate papers to the Archives may submit this Student-Paper release form.

Rights and Permissions

Unless otherwise restricted by copyright or by the donor and agreed to by the Staubitz Archives at the time of acquisition, all literary rights are conveyed to the Staubitz Archives. Donations become the sole and irrevocable property of the Archives. All donor access and use restrictions will be specified in the donation agreement. The Archives can assume no responsibility for the abuse of literary or copyright restrictions by users of research materials.

The Archives reserves the right to reevaluate and reappraise historical material in its holdings and to deaccession them when appropriate. Deaccessioned collections and items weeded from collections during processing, due to duplication, irrelevance, limited use, or deterioration, will be offered to the original donor or agent if so requested at the time of donation. If the donor does not wish to reclaim the material or cannot be located, the Staubitz Archives reserves the right to offer the material to other repositories or discard the items.

In 2016, the College formed a group to take up the task of systematically acquiring and displaying art on campus. The group, Developing Art in the Library (DALI), was originally formed to cover the walls of Hedberg Library with art. The group has since expanded to include the Library and Archives, the Art Department, the Office of Marketing and Communications, and Advancement. The Carthage Art Collection Committee is dedicated to procuring, inventorying, preservation, and promotion of art on campus.

DESIRED OUTCOMES OF THE CARTHAGE ART COLLECTION COMMITTEE

• A comprehensive catalog of the visual art objects currently owned by the College
• A reasonable appraisal of the value of visual art objects currently owned by the College
• Appropriate insurance coverage
• A budget proposal for needed facilities for art preservation
• A budget proposal for art acquisition
• A proposal for creating “named display spaces”
• Proposals for special event art showings in conjunction with the Art Gallery and Art Department
• A written policy regarding visual art collection, preservation, and display, including
  • Definition of a governing body (committee) to make decisions
  • A donation acceptance and de-accessioning policy
  • Standards for cataloging all college-owned visual art objects
  • A plan for the appropriate preservation of Carthage’s visual art objects, including facilities
  • Policies for the acquisition of student art - past and present
  • Policies for temporary display of student art
  • Policies for temporary display of other art

Current projects include creating an accessible inventory for campus art, a future art walk, and ongoing art collection policies for campus.

Request the installation of Carthage-owned artwork

Please contact Carol Sabbar in the Hedberg Library for questions or suggestions.

Galleries and Displays

The College’s Archives collects, preserves, and distributes digital material. This repository is an important tool for preserving our College’s legacy and facilitating digital preservation and scholarly communication. An inventory of the visual art on campus is housed in the Archives. Click on the link below to look at the collections.
Carthage’s Visual Art Inventory (coming soon).