Portions of some family collections, especially those pertaining to living family members, can be closed to research use for a specified period. Organizational Records Organizational records constitute another significant part of the Schlesinger Library's holdings. Also of interest are the records of organizations whose members may be both women and men but who are concerned especially with the needs and interests of women. Organizational records include founding documents, minutes, membership lists, reports, correspondence, subject files, scrapbooks, photographs, financial records, conference and committee files, and publications by or about the organization. The Schlesinger Library preserves the records of currently active organizations as well as those of organizations of historical significance that have gone out of existence.
Many active organizations find it advantageous to donate noncurrent files at regular intervals.
Members still have access to their records and occasional photocopies of documents can be provided when needed, but the organization itself is relieved of the burden of storage and the servicing of research requests. The staff is prepared to answer questions from prospective donors about the Schlesinger Library, to discuss specific procedures, arrangements, and terms for gifts of papers, and to show procedures for the processing, storage, and use of manuscripts. The following general information attempts to answer only the most usual concerns of donors. A collection may be donated all at once or in two or more parts. Should the staff find that the collection includes items that do not properly belong at the library, these items will be returned or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the donor's wishes.