Institute Collection Development

The Institute for Regional Studies Archives supports research and learning in almost every discipline, including the arts, humanities, and sciences. It is not concerned exclusively with history nor is it tied to any single NDSU department or program. It supports the university's teaching and research mission at every level, including undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral.

The Institute, throughout its more than fifty-eight year history, has collected a wide variety of historical records. It affirms its role as part of North Dakota's land-grant institution, serving the people of North Dakota, the region and beyond. Its service is in preserving and communicating knowledge about the state and region.

The Institute supports NDSU's mission by acquiring, preserving, and making available records and papers pertaining primarily to the social, cultural and political development of North Dakota. It acquires records and papers in most subject areas pertaining to North Dakota, with a special emphasis given to the agricultural, social, cultural, political, and literary development of the region.

Over the years, the archival holdings reflect certain strengths in the Institute's collecting. By subject, these include the agricultural development of the state, particularly the bonanza farming era; the pioneer period, especially in personal reminiscences and papers; the Nonpartisan League; and women of North Dakota as seen in their varied organizations. Other strengths include the lives and works of North Dakota literary figures; our many ethnic groups such as the Germans from Russia and the Norwegians; and the development of an urban society through City of Fargo records.

By format, photographs constitute one of the Institute's most heavily used resources, and the North Dakota publications collection attempts to be as comprehensive as possible. To guide the Institute for Regional Studies Archives in its collecting program this collection development policy has been developed as one of its key management tools. It provides, in a written format, guidance to the archives staff in making the best possible decision on whether or not material is appropriate for the Institute's collections. It also provides possible donors with basic information regarding the collecting scope of the Institute. This document, along with the 2002 Preservation Plan of the Institute for Regional Studies Archives & University Archives, should be consulted for specific preservation needs and actions outlined for the archival collections. This document will never be finished; rather it will continue to evolve, reflecting changes in collecting scope and the research interests of the academic community and public.

This document, critical for the Institute in fulfilling its mission, will:

Define and chart a course of action regarding collection development
Provide a framework for carrying it out
Validate the role and importance of comprehensive planning for the archives
Aid in securing appropriate research collections
Record past and current collection activities and plan for future efforts

Accordion:

Photograph Duplication Policy

Visual materials may not be borrowed.
All digital reproduction work is done through the Archives.
Digital reproductions made are for personal reference use. Possession of a digital reproduction does not constitute permission to publish it. The term "to publish" includes, but is not limited to, print, film, video, slide presentation, television, computer or other electronic media, Web and exhibit formats.
To publish, a "Permission to Publish" form must be completed and signed. In requesting to reproduce materials from these collections, the requester agrees to indemnify and hold the NDSU Archives and its staff harmless and free from liability for acts of the requester in any action involving infringement of the rights of any person or heirs and descendants under statutory copyright.
A descriptive record will be provided for all digital reproductions that includes all known identifying information.
The NDSU Archives reserves the right to refuse to grant permission and/or to provide reproduction services to publishers and individuals who have not complied with these conditions.
The worldwide, multiple uses, in perpetuity for a single project fee allows for the use of an image for advertisement, presentations, web and other formats, as long as it relates to the same project. Any future reissuing of the same project are included in this fee and resubmission of the Permission to Publish is not necessary.

Photograph Permission to Publish Policy

Photograph Duplication Policy

The NDSU Archives "Permission to Publish" form (PDF) must be completed listing items used and for what purpose. The requester's signature indicates agreement with the use conditions and fees assessed, and the authorization of the archivist.
Credit must be given to the NDSU Archives, as appropriate, and to the creator of the item, if known. The specific credit line will be given on the descriptive information provided with the digital image.
Permission to publish is for one-time use only. The NDSU Archives retain all intellectual property rights to the items. Reproductions are to be used only for the purpose stated on the permission form. The term "to publish" includes, but is not limited to, print, film, video, slide presentation, television, computer or other electronic transmission, Web and exhibit formats.
The NDSU Archives reserves the right to limit the number of digital copies made; to restrict the use or reproduction of rare or valuable items; to ensure the use of material from its files is reproduced in good taste; to make special fee quotations on items unusually difficult to copy; and to deny a request because of copyright regulations, privacy rights, or donor-imposed restrictions.
The requester is responsible for securing any necessary permission from the creator of the work or heirs, if known. The creator's name will be provided, if known.
In requesting permission to publish materials from these collections, the requester agrees to indemnify and hold the NDSU Archives and its staff harmless and free from liability for acts of the requestor in any action involving infringement of the rights of any person, heirs, or descendants under statutory copyright.
The worldwide, multiple uses, in perpetuity for a single project fee allows the use of an image for advertisement, presentations, Web and other formats, as long as it relates to the same project. Any future reissuing of the same project are included in this fee and resubmission of the Permission to Publish is not necessary. In some cases a courtesy copy of the publication will be requested for the archives.

Prices and Fees

How to Order

Send order requests to ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu or call 701-231-8914. If emailing, please include information on materials you are seeking. (i.e. marriage names, date, record #, etc.)

You will receive further instructions, price quote, and payment options.

Please contact us if you have further questions.

Digital Copy Fees

Reproduction of photographs and other items are made in digital format. Digital copies will be mailed on CD or can be sent as an e-mail JPEG attachment (5 scan limit).