Indiana University Libraries Moving Image Archive Collection Development Policy
| Responsible Office | Date adopted | Last updated |
|---|---|---|
| Moving Image Archive | Aug 12, 2025 | Aug 12, 2025 |
Policy
This policy outlines the principles guiding collection development, management, and accessioning at the Indiana University Libraries Moving Image Archive (IULMIA). It is intended to inform patrons—including prospective donors—about IULMIA’s current collecting priorities, practices, and limitations.
Collection Scope
The Indiana University Libraries Moving Image Archive (IULMIA) collects media of PURPOSE and PRACTICE. This refers to moving images created with specific social, educational, or cultural objectives and/or moving images created that explore the craft of media making. These include educational films, amateur productions, TV commercials, industrial videos, home movies, student projects, and experimental shorts. This categorization acknowledges the varied roles of moving images in informing, documenting, persuading, commemorating, and developing skills across contexts.
Primary Collecting Areas And Priorities
Media of purpose and practice collected by IULMIA includes:
- Educational/Instructional Media (classroom films, training videos, technical demonstrations)
- Amateur Productions (home movies, family recordings, community projects)
- Commercial Non-Theatrical Media (TV advertisements, corporate videos, promotional content)
- Institutional Media (government, military, public health campaigns)
- Student and Experimental Works (media school projects, avant-garde works, artistic tests)
- Documentary Variants (ethnographic, scientific, advocacy works)
- News and Journalistic Content (field reporting, investigative segments, broadcast archives)
*Special emphasis is placed on media related to Bloomington, Indiana, and the Midwest across all categories.
Secondary Collecting Areas
In addition to physical media, IULMIA collects materials that provide context and insight into the creation, distribution, and use of media such as projectors, cameras, film catalogs, production notes, promotional materials, and other papers.
Formats Collected
IULMIA currently prioritizes the following formats for collection:
- Motion picture film (any gauge, acetate, polyester)
- Physical video recordings (any analog or digital videotape format)
- Physical audio records (any analog or digital audiotape format)
- Optical discs (DVDs, CDs, CEDs, etc.)
- Papers (posters, booklets, production materials, etc.)
- Images (slides, photographs, etc.)
- Equipment (cameras, projectors, etc.)
- Reference Publications (reference books, magazines, catalogs, etc.)
At this time, IULMIA is not accepting donations in the following formats:
- Born digital content
- Video games
- Nitrate film
Acquisition Methods and Conditions of Acquisitions
IMPORTANT NOTE: At this time, IULMIA is not actively accepting any new donations in order to focus resources on processing, preserving, and providing access to our existing collections.
When donations resume, IULMIA’s primary method of acquisition will be through donations from individuals and/or institutions. All potential donations are reviewed by IULMIA staff with input from Archives and Special Collections staff as needed. If your archival materials match IULMIA’s key collecting areas and priorities, and you are considering donating to IULMIA, please consider the following:
- IULMIA prioritizes the collection of materials that can be made accessible for research and/or public use.
- Collections must be in a physical condition that does not pose a health risk to staff. If significant preservation or conservation work is required, the collection may not be accepted.
- At least 75% of a new collection acquisition must be unique when compared to IULMIA’s current holdings.
- IULMIA is unable to accept collections that are still actively in use for current productions. While IULMIA can provide access for new uses, such as reuse in a new documentary, IULMIA cannot support ongoing access or involvement in the evolving needs of active productions.
Interested in Donating?
To have your materials considered for donation, please fill out the IULMIA Collection Assessment & Review Form. This simple form will ask specific questions that will help the IULMIA staff assess the appropriateness of the donation. Please contact iulmia@iu.edu with any questions.
About This Document
This Collection Development Policy will be reviewed by IULMIA staff every five years. Updates will be made as necessary. Last Update: 2025.