Collection Development Policy
Standards governing the acquisition and stewardship of archival materials
The WMRN Radio History Archive collects, preserves, and documents materials relating to the broadcast history of WMRN-AM (1490) and its associated FM operations in Marion, Ohio. This policy defines the scope of the collection and the standards by which materials are evaluated, accepted, and stewarded.
Scope of the Collection
The WMRN Radio History Archive collects materials directly related to:
• The founding and operational history of WMRN
• Station ownership and regulatory milestones
• On-air personalities, newsroom staff, engineers, and management
• Programming, promotions, and public service initiatives
• Studio facilities, transmission infrastructure, and technical evolution
• Community events and emergency broadcasting
• Printed materials, photographs, recordings, and physical artifacts
Primary historical coverage begins in December 1940 and continues through the present.
Materials Accepted
The archive may accept materials in digital or physical form, including:
• Audio recordings such as broadcast segments, promos, interviews, and airchecks
• Photographs documenting studios, staff, equipment, and events
• Printed materials including scripts, advertisements, and internal documents
• Station-branded memorabilia
• Historically significant studio equipment or furnishings
• Oral histories and documented recollections
All materials are evaluated for historical relevance, condition, and documentation context.
Materials Not Typically Collected
The archive generally does not accept:
• Materials unrelated to WMRN or its direct affiliates
• Items lacking sufficient historical context
• Duplicates without improved quality or additional documentation
• Materials with unresolved ownership or legal concerns
Accessioning Standards
Accepted materials are assigned a structured Accession ID using the format:
WMRN-YYYY-###
Each accession record includes:
• Title
• Date or estimated year
• Media type
• Summary description
• Source or donor information
• Rights status (if known)
• Physical and/or digital location
• Condition notes
• Access designation
Accession records form part of the permanent archival record.
Stewardship and Preservation
The archive is committed to responsible long-term preservation.
Digital materials are stored in structured formats with documented metadata.
Physical materials, when retained, are stored in stable environments when feasible.
Preservation decisions are made in the interest of historical continuity and responsible stewardship.
Revisions
This policy may be updated as the archive grows and preservation standards evolve.