Acquisition
The BPSI Archives will collect official records of the Society and the
Institute, including printed materials, minutes, committee files,
official correspondence, publications, audio-video
recordings of meetings and other official events, photographs.
The
Archives will also collect non-official records as follows:
- historically valuable papers of BPSI members
who played a significant role in the organization, or in the history of
Boston psychoanalysis.
- one signed, non-circulating copy of books
written by BPSI members.
- photographs of BPSI activities, or photographs
of BPSI members in activities relating to their field.
- oral histories of members and employees of
BPSI, or of others who have major recollections of those members or
employees.
- news articles related to activities of BPSI,
the professional activities of its members, and the practice of
psychoanalysis in Boston.
Please note: acceptance of non-official records depends on archival
appraisal and recommendation, the signing of a deed of gift form by the
authorized owner, and the ability of the BPSI Archives to properly care
for the items.
Criteria for Refusing Collections
The following materials are not ordinarily accepted:
- records not specific to BPSI or to the history
and practice of psychoanalysis in the greater Boston area.
- monographs, unless written by members, or
specific to BPSI or the history of psychoanalysis in Boston.
- manuscripts, proofs, preprints or reprints of
published works, unless written by a member and not otherwise available
in the Society's Library.
- large bodies of scientific or technical
materials, patient records, and records already duplicated in the BPSI
Archives.
Retention
All records generated and received by BPSI employees in the performance
of official duties are the property of BPSI, and will not be removed or
destroyed without the approval of the Administrative Director.
No
record may be disposed unless in accordance with the procedures and
schedules established by the Archives and agreed upon by the members of
the BPSI Library Committee.
Record
Management
Some of the BPSI manuscript collections, photographs,
and audio recordings are cataloged and could be searched in
the
Hanns Sacks Library Catalog.
The manuscripts and personal papers are usually catalogued as
one record representing the entire collection, whereas photographs,
portraits, and audio tapes are represented by a single record for each
item. Please refer to individual
Collections
to see details and search tips concerning each particular archive.
Preservation
Policy
The Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute would like to ensure
that its Archives remain available and well preserved for current and
future use by the psychoanalytical research community. All valuable
records are stored in a climate controlled space; archival
quality
tools and supplies are used to avoid damage and deterioration of
individual documents. There is an ongoing effort to convert most
valuable materials, especially photographs, audio recordings and
important handwritten manuscripts, into digital format. When
established, the BPSI digital library will ease access to
the contents of archival documents, enabling use that does not
require handling of the original fragile materials.
Use
of Records
Access to the
Nemetz Archives will usually be permitted unless records are fragile
and would be damaged by use, in which case digital or print copies
could be provided. Access to materials concerning individuals may be
subject to rules and restrictions specified in the donor's
agreement. Please note that many records in the BPSI Archives --
including photographs, oral history interviews, and private
correspondence -- may be copyrighted. It is a user's
responsibility to identify the copyright owner and to obtain permission
before making use of this material in any way. If you wish to access
any records in the BPSI Archives, please email
archives@bostonpsychoanalytic.org
or call 617-266-0953.
