logo		 Chan Shun Library    
 

Resource Development for the Adventist Heritage Center

Approved by SWAU's Library Advisory Committee, August 2, 2006


The Adventist Heritage Center (AHC) encompasses several special collections housed at Chan Shun Centennial Library, Southwestern Adventist University. The mission of the Heritage Center is to acquire, organize, preserve, and make available for use materials in these areas:
  • Documents and archival materials related to the history of Southwestern Adventist University and its predecessors, Southwestern Adventist College, Southwestern Junior College, and Keene Industrial Academy.

  • The Rust-Carter Southwest Seventh-day Adventist Archives: donated collections from individuals and organizations that contain photographs, documents, letters, and memorabilia of local, regional or religious interest.

  • Published and non-published items related to the history and beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

  • Rare and valuable books, manuscripts, photographs, and audio and video recordings of historical significance that may need special care.

Gifts are the primary source of materials for the library's special collections. Acceptance of rare books, special subject collections, and other materials will depend on available space and preservation requirements, as determined by the director of the archives. Limited budget resources may be reallocated within academic programs to provide access to electronic or microform formats of rare items if they are deemed necessary for curriculum support.

The Rust-Carter Southwest Seventh-day Adventist Archives is a collecting archives dedicated to preserving the records of Seventh-day Adventism in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Materials which come to the Rust-Carter collection are donated by individuals, churches, and other private entities. Collections of local interest also fit within the scope of the Rust-Carter Archives, as this is the university's only collecting archives.

In addition to providing research materials, the Adventist Heritage Center staff is committed to maintaining physical research and contemplative space so that patrons can explore these resources. Online access to special collections will increase as staff is able to reformat photographs and other items. The Special Collections Librarian and the Library / Archives Director oversee these resources.

Affiliated with the AHC is SWAU's Ellen White - SDA Research Center, which houses published volumes and photocopies of unpublished manuscripts by Ellen White and other Adventist pioneers. Special provisions mandated by the White Estate control access to the unpublished materials of Ellen White, which belong to the White Estate. SWAU's White - SDA Research Center is devoted to providing outreach and education about Adventist history. A director has been designated to oversee the use of these materials and to conduct outreach.