Library Information
Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection Policy
Over the past thirty years the Criss Library, at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, has built a rich collection of Afghanistan research materials. The Collection has grown from an initial gift of a private library assembled by Arthur Paul that arrived at the Library in the fall of 1974. From 1969 to 1965, Mr. Paul served as an economic advisor to the Ministry of Commerce, Royal Government of Afghanistan. During his stay in Afghanistan he collected a large library of Afghanistan materials. The Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection grew from the initial gift of 1,200 items to over 20,000 titles in twenty-four different languages. The majority of the materials in the collection are in English language. However, the two official languages of Afghanistan (Pashto and Dari) are also well represented. The collection contains rich research materials on Afghanistan, covering all aspects of the Afghan life and culture. It serves national and international scholars in addition to the university students and faculty. Gathering Policy:The collection management policy adopted for the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection is intended to maintain a comprehensive collection of Afghanistan research materials at the Criss Library. These materials shall include books, serials, photographs, maps, posters, audio and visual materials. The library shall preserve the current holdings and will add additional resource materials to the collection as they become available. The library shall acquire materials in many formats and languages in support of research and scholarship in the area of Afghanistan studies. Additional materials will be added to the collection through purchases and gift materials. Using the CollectionThe Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection serves the research needs of all interested scholars. Due to the archival nature of the collection, items are used in the library, and not available via interlibrary loan. Advance appointments are recommended. Photocopying is usually permitted unless it violates copyright law or might cause damage. Access and PreservationThe Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection holds unique and rare materials on Afghanistan research. The Library intends to preserve this collection and make it available to larger circles of scholars via internet. In 2004 the Library acquired digital equipment through a grant funded by the University of Nebraska Foundation to digitize Afghanistan Collection materials for preservation and access. The Library has digitized about four thousand pages of fragile documents and will continue to build a digital collection of Afghanistan materials. The digitization of Afghanistan materials will include maps, photographs, document, and books that are published prior to 1900. The preservation and digitization needs assessment of Afghan Collection materials based on:
The subject specialist will examine and select titles for digitization. For inquiries or appointments with the Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection librarian, telephone (402) 554-2404 or email Shaista Wahab Arthur Paul Afghanistan Collection |
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