Michigan State University

Collection Development Policy Statement: Russel B. Nye Popular Culture Collection

Collection Management Issues

The very nature of popular culture printed material raises significant preservation issues and problems which must be addressed. Most items in the Nye Collection were not produced with the intention of long-term use. The paper is highly acidic and the bindings quite fragile. Many of the books were, and continue to be, inexpensively produced paperbacks which allow for mass consumption, but raise numerous problems for collection management. Currently, procedures are underway to slow down the deterioration of the collection. On a case by case basis, items are given some protection. This includes using acid-free folders, acid-free boxes for magazines, and some preservation photocopying. There is currently no plan to reformat or de-acidify major sections of the collections with the exception of the Comic Art Collection.