Archives Policies

Copyright

Hampshire College Archives and Special Collections provides access to its collections in order to support education and scholarship. Some archival materials may be protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). Additionally, the use and reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms listed in the deeds of gift and donor restrictions. Laws against libel and invasion of privacy may also apply.

Permission to examine and reproduce materials is not an authorization to publish them. Researchers who plan eventual publication of their work should make inquiry concerning overall restrictions on publication before beginning their research. Hampshire College Archives and Special Collections does not assume responsibility for infringement of copyright held by others. If permission to publish is granted, location of the material must be indicated in the work as well as appropriate attribution.

Publication of electronic scans or copies of archival material must be obtained from the copyright holder of the material. 

Internet Access

Although many records in the Hampshire College Archives and Special Collections are open to the Hampshire community and/or outside researchers to view without restriction, publication of this material, in print or on the web, on Hampedia or social networking sites, must be treated differently. Concerns include copyright ownership, privacy (especially for alums), and concomitant exposure of the College to lawsuits, as well as the ability to alter the documentary record.

Documents requested for making available on the web must be examined in light of these concerns, and if approved, posted on a site under Hampshire institutional control, preferably the Hampshire College Archives and Special Collections website. Links from commentary or indexes may be made to these documents from other websites as desired. 

Donations and Deeds of Gift

We cannot accept donations to the Archives at this time.