Archives & Special Collections

UNT Health Archives

This is an introduction and brief outline to the Archives and its collections. It is not meant to be a comprehensive guide. UNT Health department staff should contact the University Archivist with any questions they may have and if they have identified potential archival materials.

The University Archivist can conduct appraisals of the materials to determine their archival value, provide resources and strategies on what to collect, and answer any questions staff may have.

 

 

What is the University Archives?

The University Archives serves as the institutional memory of UNT Health and plays a vital role in the management of the institution’s evidentiary documents and resources in all formats. A strong archive is an integral component of, and an active partner to, any thriving and accountable institution of higher learning. Archives staff identify, acquire, and maintain records of enduring value that chronicle the development of the institution and ensure its continued existence. The Archives document the process of institutional evolution by retaining both the evidence which shapes decisions and the decisions themselves.

The Archives receives collection materials, either by transfer from UNT Health departments or from external donors. Potential materials offered to the Archives should be appraised by the University Archivist to determine if the materials fall within the collection scope of the Archives. The three types of values to keep in mind when determining potential archival materials are:

• Informational value includes the uniqueness or individuality of the materials in that they cannot be found anywhere else; the form or legibility and completeness of the records and how easily accessible they are; and the importance or significance of the records and their relevance to the collection as related to the University.
• Evidentiary value refers to the “quality or authenticity” of records in order “to provide legal or historical proof or adequate evidence.”
• Intrinsic value is the usefulness or significance of an item derived from its physical or associational qualities, inherent in its original form and generally independent of its content, that are integral to its material nature and would be lost in reproduction.

Types of Collections

The University Archives is predominantly intended for use by UNT Health faculty, alumni, administration, staff and students. However, physicians, researchers, historians and the general public also utilize the collections. The Archives houses two types of collections: Archival and Manuscript.

Examples of Collections in the University Archives:

• The Ronald R. Blanck, D.O. Collection
• The David M. Richards, D. O. Collection
• The Ralph L. Willard, D.O. Collection
• Irvin M. Korr Collection

Archival Collections

Archival collections are institutional records created by UNT Health that document the history, accumulated work and/or activities of the University. UNT Health, as a public academic institution, is also governed by State of Texas Records Management mandates regarding retention and disposition of records. Materials that fall under records management policies can be archival, but not always. For more information, visit Records Management. At UNT Health, archival collections comprise the bulk of the materials housed in the Archives & Special Collections.

Manuscript Collections

Manuscript collections housed in the Archives & Special Collections refer to collections of materials that include correspondence, newspaper clippings, journal articles, photographs, diaries, scrapbooks, typescripts, notebooks, meeting minutes, and research files. Manuscript collections are separate from, but can be related to, the permanent archival records of the University. An example of a manuscript collection is the Irvin M. Korr Collection, which was created by Dr. Korr, who worked on campus from 1978-1989. His collection is comprised of his personal materials and are not official records of UNT Health, but have archival institutional value, and as a result were accessioned by the Archives and Special Collections.

Department Responsibilities

While it is the job of Archives staff to identify and acquire records of long-term historical, evidential, legal, fiscal, and administrative value to the institution and to preserve and provide access to them, this cannot be done without the help of UNT Health department staff. Department staff are not expected to be experts on what should be preserved for the University Archives, but should have a general idea of potentially important materials such as:

• Official records and publications, especially those reflecting the development, policies, and activities of offices, units, or committees.
• Materials that formulate or approve campus-wide or division-wide policy and document administrative, faculty, student, and external involvement in those activities.
• Records of departments, individuals, groups, or programs which substantially influenced the institution's development or evolution.
• Records in imminent danger of loss or destruction pending a decision on their ultimate accession or disposal.