Selection, Acquisition And Accession Policy

Selection is the process of choosing items to add to the collection;

Acquisition is the subsequent step of ensuring that selected material is added to the collection;

Accession is the process of recording the arrival of new material into the Archive.

Introduction

Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero’s (SANTK) collecting responsibilities are defined from time to time SANTK and its funder. They are:

a) Radio broadcasts made in New Zealand by any broadcaster

b) Historical recordings made in New Zealand when their significance is paramount

c) Ephemera, documents and artefacts relating to radio broadcasts

Selection Principles

Priority is given to material of New Zealand origin or association. However, New Zealand’s cultural values develop in an international context and the collection should reflect this.

Selection judgements should reflect a balanced overview of tastes, trends and views.

SANTK may choose to record events, statements, personal reminiscences, performances etc. to augment the collection.

SANTK co-operates with other collecting institutions, so will not duplicate their holdings. It also observes international professional best practice and protocols, and the obligations of its membership in professional organisations.

SANTK reserves the right to deselect material from its collections and dispose of it with due observance of the legalities involved.

General Selection Criteria

These are the main factors for measuring the cultural value of material:

i. Actuality recordings of historic events (political, economic, sporting etc.).

ii. Social history(social conditions, work, leisure, folklore, oral history etc.).

iii. People of historic interest in all fields - the arts, entertainment, literature, science, politics, religion, sport etc.

iv. The work of New Zealand composers and performers in recordings made for broadcast.

v. An indicator of attitudes of the past e.g. an old radio drama might be technically inferior by today’s standards but is a reflection of those past attitudes.

vi. Any work which is an award winner or has had a wide social impact.

vii. Programmes reflecting broadcasting styles or genres including commercials, bloopers, youth or religious programmes, drama and comedies.

viii. The trend in demand for access to SANTK’s collection is also a legitimate factor in selection decisions.

As well as the above criteria for sound recordings, material known collectively as documentation is also relevant e.g. publicity and promotional materials, photographs, posters, vintage equipment, manuals and significant directives. This may include objects and artefacts.

Selection Priorities:

Priority is given to items:

a) Made in or about New Zealand or New Zealanders.

b) Made by or about Maori, including material in te Reo.

c) Made by New Zealanders overseas.

d) Endangered, unique or rare items, material of heritage value or material which other institutions do not acquire.

Acquisition Principles

Acquisition is the process of physically adding selected items to the collection.

Material is sought in the condition, format and quantities which best meet preservation and/or access objectives.

Direct recording off-air and Donation are the preferred means of acquisition.

SANTK reserves the right to make such copies as it considers necessary for preservation and access. However, SANTK will always honour the entitlements of copyright owners and donors in its dealings.

SANTK selects material from a variety of broadcasters. Given its beginnings as an archive for public radio and the extent of its public radio holdings, SANTK continues to add to this record in line with selection policy.

SANTK may from time to time solicit advice from various user or stakeholder groups regarding the merits of acquiring certain recordings or types of recording. However, regardless of any such advice, responsibility for selection must remain with SANTK.

The beneficiaries of acquisition by SANTK are: a) the New Zealand people on whose behalf SANTK performs its functions and b) the owners of rights in the material concerned.

General Acquisition Criteria

i. All items must be available for inspection by SANTK before acquisition. Items may be acquired as a collection or individually whether or not they are part of a formed collection.

ii. Each acquisition is assessed in relation to its total cost, including travel, overheads, packing, shipping, etc.

iii. Further management and preservation implications are assessed beforehand e.g. processing workload, storage space requirements, impact on preservation programme and budget. The transaction proceeds only if the implications are acceptable.

iv. All acquisitions, other than those made by off-air recording pursuant to section 90 of the Copyright Act 1994, will be documented with standard contracts. These contracts will define the content and nature of the acquisition and the obligations and rights of the parties involved.

v. Standing arrangements for the donation of material by producers or their representatives may be sought.

vi. SANTK recognises the following type of acquisition transaction:

a. off-air recording

b. donation

c. deposit

d. bequest

Responsibility

Responsibility for the implementation of this policy rests with the Archives Manager or his or her delegate.

SANTK operates within the framework of written policies, which provide consistent guidance for staff on the selection and acquisition of new recordings, preservation and public access.

They will be subject to amendment from time to time, and may also be supplemented with policies covering other areas of our work.

Policies

Access Policy

Access is defined as any form of use of the SA/NTK collections.

Preservation Policy

The aim of preservation is to provide permanent access to the heritage of sound, associated paper-based documentation materials, photographs and other artefacts held in the SA/NTK. 

Selection, Acquisition and Accession Policy

Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero’s (SANTK) collecting responsibilities are defined from time to time SANTK and its funder. They are:

a) Radio broadcasts made in New Zealand by any broadcaster

b) Historical recordings made in New Zealand when their significance is paramount

c) Ephemera, documents and artefacts relating to radio broadcasts

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