The purpose of the Shaw Historical Library is to contribute to a deepened appreciation for the “Land of Lakes” area and its people. The Land of Lakes is generally defined as the geographical area of south-central and southeastern Oregon, northeastern California, and northwestern Nevada.
The Shaw Historical Library attempts to achieve its purpose by serving as the repository for historical and scientific books, works of art, maps, photographs, and personal and organizational documents related to the area.
Types of Materials We Archive
Since the Library was founded in 1983, the majority of the library’s collections have come from donations by library patrons and other people with ties to the “Land of Lakes”. The Shaw Historical Library welcomes these donations and works to preserve and share these materials with scholars, researchers, and other patrons.
Types of Materials We Collect
The Shaw collects materials in the following categories:
- Western Migration
- Western Trails
- Western Exploration
- Western Railroad History
- Western Native American History
- The Japanese Internment in WWII
- General History about the American West
The library also accepts donations of personal and family papers, and organizational records, related to the region.
Types of Family Papers We Archive
Personal and family papers include: letters, diaries, speeches and lectures, photographs, albums and scrapbooks, memoirs and reminiscences, professional files, genealogical information, films, video tapes, and audio tapes.
Types of Organizational Records We Archive
Organizational records include: articles of incorporation, constitutions, bylaws, correspondence, planning documents, architectural records, legal documents, minutes of meetings, reports, memoranda, photographs, newsletters and other publications, directories, financial documents, press releases, membership records, and research and subject files.
Criteria for Acceptance of Documents
Considerations for accepting an offered gift to the Library include, but are not limited to, the following criteria:
- The importance of the gift for the overall development of the collection as articulated by the library's mission.
- The appropriateness of the gift for the Shaw Historical Library compared to other institutions.
- The uniqueness or availability of the offered material.
- The rarity or unique characteristics of the material.
- The research value of the material.
- The restrictions on the handling, processing, and storage or access to the materials placed by the donor.
- The cost of processing, preserving, providing access to, and storing the offered materials.
- The prestige or historical importance of the donor.
The Shaw Historical Library encourages potential donors to speak to a librarian about all published or unpublished materials, fitting within the Library’s collection scope and areas. Definitions of historical importance and research value change constantly and are often not easily recognized.
Transfer of Materials
Arrangements are made to have books, papers and records, transported to the Shaw Historical Library after working with donors to identify materials appropriate for preservation. The legal transfer of materials from the donor to the library occurs when the donor reviews and signs a gift agreement, thus formally making a gift of the materials to the library (see Deed of Gift form below).
Restrictions on Materials
When reviewing materials for donation, the library or donor may determine that some materials are sensitive in nature. The library or donor may determine that parts of the donation should be restricted to protect the donor's privacy or other persons'. Although the library desires to make all papers and records freely accessible to researchers, the library may agree to reasonable restrictions on donations.
Copyright
Copyright belongs to the creator of writings and other original works (such as photographs and music.) In other cases the copyright belongs to a person or entity that paid for the original work. Copyrights are legally transferable. To enable scholars to quote readily from the library’s collections, The Shaw Historical Library encourages the donor of materials to transfer any copyright that they may possess in the donated papers to the library.
Current Copyright Law
- Works published from 1909 through 1921.
The initial copyrighted term of the work was 28 years from the date of publication. If the copyright was renewed during the 28th year, the copyright was extended for an additional 28-year period. Proof of copyright ownership is required. This means that works through 1921 were likely copyrighted for 56 years and went out of copyright by 1977. - Works published from 1922 through 1963.
The initial copyrighted term of the work was 28 years from the date of publication. If the copyright was renewed during the 28th year, the copyright was extended for an additional 67-year period. Proof of copyright ownership is required. - Works published from 1964 through 1978.
The initial copyrighted term of the work was 28 years from the date of publication, with an automatic renewal of an additional 67 years. Proof of copyright ownership is required. - Works created on or after January 1, 1978.
The following rules apply to published and unpublished works:- For one author, the work is copyright-protected for the life of the author plus 70 years.
- For joint authors, the work is protected for the life of the surviving author plus 70 years.
- For works made for hire, the work is protected for 95 years from the first publication or 120 years from the date of its creation, whichever is less.
- For anonymous and pseudonymous works, the work is protected for 95 years from the first publication or 120 years from the date of its creation, whichever is less. (However, if the author's name is disclosed to the U.S. Copyright Office, the work is protected for the life of the author plus 70 years.)
Monetary Appraisals
It may be possible for a donor to take a tax deduction for their gift to the Library under certain circumstances. Donors should consult a tax accountant about the extent that the donation is tax-deductible. Under current Oregon Law, the Shaw Historical Library is not allowed to provide tax advice or appraise the monetary value of a donation. It is the donor’s responsibility to arrange for and bear the cost of any appraisal.
Contact Us
Please contact us by phone at (541) 885-1686 or via email at shawlib@oit.edu to discuss your material or monetary gift to the Shaw Historical Library.