North Carolina Central University 1801 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC : Celebrating 100 years Motto: Truth and Service Colors: Maroon and Grey

TRIANGLE RESEARCH LIBRARY NETWORK ANNUAL MEETING 2011 JULY 25, 2011 THE FRIDAY CENTER THE LIBRARY AS PLACE: HOW EXHIBIT PROGRAMS ARE ESTABLISHING A COMMON GROUND FOR SCHOLARSHIP, KNOWLEDGE- BUILDING, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Until the lion has a historian of his own, The tale of the hunt will always Glorify the hunter. African Proverb, Igbo, Nigeria

NORTH CAROLINA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ARCHIVES - JOINTLY HELD WITH DUKE UNIVERSITY NORTH CAROLINA MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ARCHIVES - JOINTLY HELD WITH DUKE UNIVERSITY COLLECTIONS AND COLLABORATIONS

INTENT OF THE PRESENTATION The Changing Narrative of African American History. Highlight the importance of collaboration on collections. Sharing information and sources to document images in on- line exhibits. Working with Institutional Donors.

The N. C. Mutual Archives helps to reconstruct a new narrative about African American life during the Jim Crow era and post desegregation. Recognition that there are gaps in the historical narrative, African American history and its scholarship. Challenges to the traditional narrative widen the historical foot prints of African American history. Archives, Records and Exhibits create new models that chronicle the everyday experiences of how African Americans lived, worked and played. THE CHANGING NARRATIVE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY

CHRONOLOGY N. C. Mutual Life began conversations in early 2009 regarding the long term archiving of their collection. N. C. Mutual Board of Directors approved the donation and transfer of materials jointly to NCCU and Duke University. An MOA was drafted and expectations for a Digital Exhibit were noted and the materials were transferred. Items were selected for use in the exhibit by both staffs and the Duke IT department began digitizing images.

CHRONOLOGY, Continued Each image was researched and data sharing began with the deadline in mind. A certificate of insurance was secured by both institutions for the collection in the summer of N. C. Mutual Archives was officially transferred to NCCU and Duke in a public signing ceremony in September The online Exhibit entitled Black Wall Street: Multimedia Event-Rewind, Fast Forward, Press Play was launched at N.C. Mutual Founders Day in 2010.

A unique partnership in which it is jointly held by NCCU and Duke. Largest collection of African American corporate materials in the nation. Consists of Manuscripts, diaries, memorabilia, photographs, films, maps correspondence, drawings. A total of 217 linear feet, approximately 98,000 items. The bulk of the materials range from Housed on the NCCU, Duke and NC Mutual websites. A finding aid has been completed and work is ongoing on the collection. The collection is valued at $1.4 million dollars. N. C. MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ARCHIVAL COLLECTION

A continuation of the Heritage Hall Exhibit that was removed from its physical space to on-line. Selection of 200 Images out of a total of 24 archival boxes. Working with the John Hope Franklin Center staff and Dukes IT staff to sort out and scan images for use. The digital collection features selected images of employees, office buildings and other subjects that document the companys long history. Each image has a caption and a unique identifier along with other metadata. Included an Add New Comment section to gather more information the public and a contact address for queries from patrons. CONTENTS OF N. C. MUTUAL MULTI-MEDIA EXHIBIT

THE USE OF TRADTIONAL AND NON TRADITIONAL SOURCES TO DOCUMENT IMAGES Use of the companys organ the Whetstone Magazine to identify persons, sites and settings. Use of Funeral Programs and Obituaries. Conversations with current and former employees for background stories. Created public opportunities for the scholars and the community to engage in dialogue on the topic. Exhibit opens other avenues for further research and other opportunities.

HONORING THE WISHES OF THE INSTITUTIONAL DONOR The donor was intentional from its earliest origins to record their history and to widen their historical foot-print. The donor wanted free access and public access to the collection. Certain restrictions are placed on certain portions of the collection and archive. Online access to the Digital Exhibit must be provided within a one year period after the signing or consequences were built into the agreement.

WORKING WITH DONORS Keep an open line of communication with the donor and partner institution. Create an exhibit with the audience and donor in mind. Never promise what you cannot deliver on in an agreement. Make the on-line exhibit experience as engaging and informative as the traditional exhibit. Post donation follow up is essential to the continued growth of the collection. One donation begets another.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY JAMES E. SHEPARD MEMORIAL LIBRARY 118 SHEPARD LIBRARY, FIRST FLOOR PHONE : (919) PRESENTATION BY ANDRE VANN

The eagle is no common, ordinary barnyard foul. - Dr. Cadd G. OKelly and Dr. James E. Shepard