POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MATERIALS TO BE COLLECTED

Terry Schmaker, Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Library & Archives of New Hampshire's Political Traditions (Political Libary), opens the press conference announcing the establishment of the Political Library.

In another first for New Hampshire, at the State Library on April 7 it was announced that the Library and Archives of New Hampshire's Political Tradition is being established as a collaborative effort of the State Library and the State Archives. In making the announcement, Terry Shumaker, Democratic national Committeeman and chairman of the advisory board for what is being called the "Political Library," said that through the hard work of the advisory board this worthy project is now able to move forward. Such a library, Mr. Shu-maker said, will help preserve the rich legacy of our presidential primary which is so entwined with the identity of our state. Additional remarks concerning the establishment and goals of the Political Library were made by advisory board members Thomas D. Rath, Esq., Republican National Committeeman and vice chairperson of the advisory board; William M. Gardner, Secretary of State; Dr. George G. Hagerty, President, Franklin Pierce College; Judy E. Reardon, Legal Counsel to Governor Jeanne Shaheen; and Dr. William E. Ross, Director, Special Collections, Dimond Library, UNH. Other board members are, Shirley Grey Adamovich, William Copeley, Dr. Philip N. Cronenwett, Dr. James L. Garvin, Hugh Gregg, and Van McLeod.

The rationale for the Political Library is best summed up by former governor Hugh Gregg who recently said that the establishment of such a library is a logical resource supplement to our universally respected first-in-the-nation presidential primary. He believes it will add luster to our quadrennial day in the sun. More importantly, it will permanently ensure New Hampshire's leadership in political research as an enduring mission. Mr. Rath said that just as New Hampshire, through the first-in-the nation primary, is the nation's quadrennial political laboratory, so too can this library become the place where scholars, students, and citizens come to learn about our process and continue to improve it.

Dr. Hagerty, who also chairs the board's development subcommittee, said that the archiving and display of information on the rich tradition of New Hampshire's political heritage will effectively serve the research needs of scholars, students, historians, the media, political candidates, and campaign strategists. Mr. Gardner alluded to the significant role that New Hampshire has played by being the state with the first-in-the-nation presidential primary. He feels that the why's and how's will be a topic thoroughly researched by future historians and we should make available all the information possible. He went on to say that the Political Library will do just that and will be a tremendous asset for the state and for future generations.

The chairman of the board's collections committee, Dr. William E. Ross, said that the development of this library and archives will go a long way toward furthering the rich political heritage that is unique to the Granite State and the collections will be developed to reflect that heritage. The mission of the Political Library is to: Protect and preserve New Hamp-shire's tradition of holding the first-in-the-nation's presidential primary.

Collect and sustain a wide range of materials pertaining to New Hamp-shire's voting procedures and history.

Gather campaign material from candidates who are running, or have run, for major state or federal office in New Hampshire.

Locate and catalog relevant political material deposited in other libraries or historical societies throughout the state.

Maintain personal files on all candidates who have run in New Hampshire for major state or federal political office.

Make available resources and a central facility where the media, candidates, historians, and the public can find ready reference to New Hamp-shire's political history.

Catalogue and perpetuate a record of political matters in the state.

Provide a complete reference service on political matters in the state.

The Political Library will be the first to systematically collect books, periodicals, journals, speeches, rec-ords, tapes, newspapers, letters, notes, diaries, films, videos, cassettes, laser discs, and political paraphernalia, including posters, bumper stickers, advertisements, and candidate brochures with radio and television clips. The writings of all recognized political authors will be a major emphasis of the collection with initial concentration on materials covering the elections from 1952 to the present. Examples of some of the materials that have already been collected were displayed.

Funding for the Library is coming initially from the private sector. The Political Library is being set up by the State Librarian as a branch of the State Library, but it will be co-located in the State Library building at 20 Park Street in Concord. The State Librarian and the State Archivist will jointly administer the Political Library. They expect to have a research librarian and additional staff on board by this summer. In the meantime, work is underway to set up the Library and to collect and catalog materials for the collection. Questions regarding the Library may be directed to Kendall Wiggin, State Librarian at (603) 271-2397.