Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 16 - History, Humanities and Arts
Part 2 - Archives and Records Services Division
Chapter 1 - Policy for Acquisitions
Introduction. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the acquisition and care of archival and library materials by the Archives and Records Services Division (Division), ensuring that these activities are implemented consistently and according to established professional standards. The Policy for Acquisitions is a public statement of the Divisions commitment to manage, preserve, and provide access to the materials in its possession properly.
The statute creating the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) prescribed its objects and purposes as the care and custody of official archives, the collecting of materials bearing upon the history of the state and of the territory included therein, from the earliest times, the editing of official records and other historical material, the diffusion of knowledge in reference to the history and resources of this state, the preparation and publication of annual reports, the encouragement of historical work and research and the performance of such other acts and requirements as may be enjoined by law (Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, § 39-5-1). To implement this mandate, the Division acquires, preserves, processes, catalogs, and provides access to archival state records, materials from private sources, and publications that relate to Mississippi and are of enduring historical value.
The Division serves a large and diverse clientele, including the public, genealogists, students, state officials, and scholars throughout the world. Division services support educational and public programs, state and local government agencies, legislators, and the courts. Equal access is provided to all materials for research, duplication, and publication, after processing and preservation work has been completed. All work is accomplished according to policies approved by the MDAH Board of Trustees and established archival practices. All materials are non-circulating.
