Local History Collection Policy

To provide access to local history and genealogy materials, the PEI Public Library Service has established a Local History Collection in each library. Materials identified to have lasting historical value and/or that are potentially rare may also be added to the non-circulating Local History collection housed in the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. The Charlottetown Library Learning Centre’s non-circulating Local History collection will contain historical materials relevant to the entire province, not just Charlottetown. The Local History Collection is intended to complement the collections of the Public Archives and Records Office, and does not act as an archival repository.  

Materials identified to have lasting historical value and/or are potentially rare, may also be added to the non-circulating Local History Collection housed in the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. Charlottetown’s non-circulating Local History Collection contains historical materials relevant to the entire province, not just Charlottetown.  

Works may be selected for the Local History Collection if they meet the following requirements:

• The material pertains to the history of Prince Edward Island and/or to local genealogy and has been assessed as appropriate, in format, condition and content, by the designated librarian.
• Donated materials are assessed by same criteria for inclusion in the Local History Collection. Primary sources may be offered to the Public Archives and Records Office for consideration. Donated materials will follow the Donation Policy and are not guaranteed inclusion in the collection.

Items that will not be added to the Local History Collection include, but are not limited to:

• maps
• artifacts
• personal journals
• photographs
• damaged materials (i.e. books that are musty, water-damaged, missing pages, or have highlighted passages)
• unpublished family histories

Titles added to this collection will be subject to deselection as outlined in the Collections Policy.