Terms of Use

Materials in The Albina Community Archive are available for purposes of education, historical research, and other "fair use" as defined by U.S. Copyright Law.

While the archive houses an item, it does not necessarily hold the copyright on the item, nor may it be able to determine if the item is protected under copyright law. Unless specific terms of use are noted in the metadata attached to content on this site, users must make their own assessments of rights in light of their intended use. Users are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of items, for obtaining necessary permissions, and paying associated fees that may be necessary for an item's intended use. The Albina Community Archive does not assign rights or license materials.

Copyright

The Albina Community Archive requires that the following credit line accompany all reproductions of our items used in publications, productions, and websites: "Courtesy of Albina Music Trust." If space is available, metadata associated with an item may be included. For further citation guidelines for papers and articles, see Citing Electronic Primary Sources on Purdue's LibGuide.

If using items from The Albina Community Archive on your social media, the archive requires the following credit lines:

• Instagram: Courtesy of @albinamusictrust (link to account)
• Facebook: Courtesy of Albina Music Trust (link to account)
• All other social media: Courtesy of @albinamusictrust

Redaction

Unless otherwise noted, the Albina Community Archive is not responsible for the content of any materials on this site. If you are the copyright owner or have any information about the copyright status of an item you've seen on our website, we want to hear from you. Please contact us and make sure to include your contact information, a link to the relevant content, as well as a statement of the issue.

Disclaimer

The Abina Community Archive includes historical materials that reflect the beliefs and perspectives of their subjects and times, some of which may be offensive to users. The Albina Community Archive does not endorse the views expressed in these materials.

Development Policy

An Arts & Culture Community Archive

Preserving Black Creativity, History, and Identity in Portland, Oregon

1. Mission Statement

Albina Music Trust's community archive seeks to preserve, honor, and make accessible the creative legacies, cultural expressions, and lived experiences of Black residents in Portland’s historically Black Albina neighborhood. We prioritize materials that reflect the artistic, cultural, and social contributions of Albina’s Black community from the early 20th century to the present.

2. Purpose of the Policy

This Collection Development Policy serves to:

• Guide staff and community members in selecting, acquiring, and managing materials.
• Ensure the archive reflects the values, histories, and artistic diversity of Albina's Black community.
• Promote ethical, transparent, and community-centered stewardship of archival materials.

3. Scope of the Collection

3.1 Geographic Focus

The archive’s primary focus is the Albina neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, including the historical sub-areas of Eliot, King, Humboldt, Boise, Woodlawn, Vernon, Sabin, Irvington, Lloyd and other adjacent communities impacted by redlining, urban renewal, and displacement.

3.2 Chronological Coverage

Materials from the 1930s to present, with emphasis on:

• The mid-20th century Civil Rights era
• The 1950s–1980s cultural boom
• Contemporary Black arts and culture in Portland

3.3 Subject Areas

The collection emphasiezes:

• Visual arts, music, dance, literature, and performance rooted in the Black Albina experience
• Cultural institutions (e.g., churches, galleries, theaters, schools)
• Community activism and cultural movements
• Black-owned businesses
• Personal and family narratives reflecting cultural life

3.4 Material Types

We collect materials in a wide range of formats, including but not limited to:

• Photographs, prints, and visual artworks
• Oral histories and interviews
• Manuscripts and letters
• Manuscripts and letters
• Manuscripts and letters
• Manuscripts and letters
• Manuscripts and letters
• Digital media and born-digital content
• Digital media and born-digital content

4. Collection Priorities

4.1 Community-Centered Collecting

We prioritize materials created by or in collaboration with community members, and seek to elevate underrepresented voices within Albina’s historically Black community.

4.2 Significance and Uniqueness

Preference is given to:

• Materials with direct connections to key cultural events or figures in Albina
• Items not held by other institutions
• Content that reflects everyday Black life, creativity, and resistance

4.3 Condition and Format

While we accept materials in various states, preference is given to those that are stable, complete, and usable. Fragile or damaged items may be accepted if they are of high historical or cultural value.

5. Acquisition Guidelines

5.1 Methods of Acquisition

• Community donations (encouraged through outreach and events)
• Partnerships with local organizations, churches, and families
• Commissioned oral histories and documentation projects
• Select purchases or reproductions, as budget allows

5.2 Legal and Ethical Considerations

• All acquisitions must be legal, with clear ownership or rights documentation.
• We honor the cultural sovereignty and intellectual property of creators and communities.
• Donor agreements will outline conditions of use, access, and digitization.

5.3 Community Consent

When collecting sensitive materials (e.g., family archives, protest images), community consent and contextualization will be prioritized. We aim to avoid re-traumatization or misuse.

6. Deaccessioning Policy

Items may be deaccessioned (removed from the archive) if they:

• Fall outside the scope of the archive’s mission
• Are duplicates or poor-quality reproductions
• Are deteriorated beyond repair with no preservation option

Deaccessioning decisions will be made transparently and with community advisory input when appropriate.

7. Access and Use

• The archive strives to balance open access with cultural sensitivity and privacy.
• Digitization and online access will be prioritized for high-demand materials, with permission where necessary.
• Use of materials for research, education, and artistic practice is encouraged.

8. Collaboration and Partnerships

We actively seek to collaborate with:

• Local artists, elders, and cultural practitioners
• Schools, libraries, and community centers
• Historically Black churches and civic organizations
• Other archives and memory projects in Portland and beyond

9. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed every two years in consultation with a Community Advisory Board to ensure it remains responsive, equitable, and community-driven.