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| Frequently Asked Questions: NAI Heritage Library |
| What is the purpose of the Heritage Library? The Library is responsible for the safekeeping of essential primary records of NAI—those that document board decisions, operational activities, administrative and management policies, directions and decisions, as well as those records of historical value to the Association. The library serves as a resource for members to view examples of excellence in interpretive media. It also systematically obtains selected gifts of unique and irreplaceable archival material that represents the aspirations and experiences that influenced professional interpreters in their careers. It is the policy of NAI to only accept gifts or donations that are relevant to the field of interpretation if they are special, compelling or there is a substantive reason to share the publications with the Association’s membership, students of interpretation, to others interested in the history of the profession. What types of things are in the Heritage Library? The NAI Heritage Library consists of books, theses, dissertations, training manuals, reports, workshop proceedings and announcements for workshops, historic publications and files from WIA (Western Interpreters Association) and AIN (Association of Interpretive Naturalists), chapter, section and regional newsletters, brochures and site bulletins, NAI records (other than financial), DVDs and videos, audio tapes and CDs, slides photos, magazines from related fields and organizations, artifacts, and lots and lots of memories! What are some of the archives? The archives NAI keeps are tangible objects that remind us of this organization’s past and of the good work of individual interpreters. Some of the more unusual artifacts are: membership pins that belonged to Bob Jennings; the original storyteller sculpture that belongs to the CINP section (Council for the Interpretation of Native Peoples); the AIN owl; some first edition books and books signed by the authors; original “paste-ups” for the covers for The Interpreter when it was published in the 1970s; and wonderful satchels of hand-written notes that Josh Barkin used in his interpretive talks. How large is the Library? Square-footage-wise it is small, but there is a lot of information filling the space. Currently the library takes up shelves on two walls of the NAI Training Center and includes five under-counter cabinets. Most of the books we have are entered into a database that can be used to look up specific titles or authors and there are close to 1000 titles in the database. How is the Heritage Library organized? Since NAI moved into the current location, the Heritage Library has been growing and accumulating publications that would make the collection fuller. A work-study student worked long hours last semester cataloging the books using the Dewey Decimal System. Another student organized some of the photos and slides, but there is a lot yet that can be done. Were all the items in the Library donated to NAI? No, NAI has acquired publications in a variety of ways. Publishers sometimes send pre-publication copies to NAI as a courtesy or to look over for potential items for the Association Store and they become part of the library. Media competition entries that are not archived with the winning entries are added to the library. Member donation is only one way the library grows and a way that will become more and more important as older members retire from the field and dismantle their personal libraries. Is there any sort of acquisitions policy that guides what the Library accepts or do you take everything that is offered? There is a PDF file of the acquisitions policy, downloadable here. |
About NAI Quick Links Contact
NAI |
| National Association for Interpretation | 888-900-8283 |