Collection Criterion

Collection Criterion for the African American Collection of Maine

The University of Southern Maine’s Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine collects material documenting the ongoing histories of diverse communities. Current collections represent the African American, Jewish, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities. The Center promotes diversity and civil rights through research, education, and outreach.

The African American Collection will collect the papers of individuals and records of organizations that tell the story of Maine’s African American community. The collection seeks to capture all aspects of African American life in Maine including social life, politics, the arts, education, work, and cultural events. Acquisition of a collection will be decided based on the following criteria:

• Does the facility have the resources to care for the collection;
• Does the collection have material about the African American community as outlined above.