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Casino and Gaming Corporate Archives |
To date, two major gaming corporations have chosen to establish their corporate archives at UNLV Special Collections.
The MGM Mirage Corporate Archives are currently limited to two boxes of promotional material.
The Harrah's Entertainment Corporate Archives comprise a massive amount of material, including photographs, advertising copy, promotional material, and assorted other material. Look for an online exhibition, including a gallery and collection inventory, soon.
Overview
As paper-intensive businesses, casinos generate a large number of documents
during the course of day-to-day business. Their design and planning also
generate many documents, ranging from architectural renderings and presentation
to fiscal analyses. Much of what goes on the casino is amply documented
by the public relations and marketing departments through photographs,
videos, and other media. But with storage space at a premium, much of
this material is neglected or discarded. This is a tremendous loss to
the understanding of the history of the gaming industry and to individual
casinos. The creation of a Casino Corporate Archive within UNLV Special
Collections is a practical, cost-effective, and easily implemented solution
to the problem of what to do with a casino's history.
What
is a Casino Corporate Archive?
Simply speaking, a Casino Corporate Archive is a place where casinos can
deposit their older files and materials for future use, both by the casino
and academic researchers.
What
kinds of material will UNLV Special Collections accept?
- Press releases
- Property and corporate press kits
- Promotional materials
- Advertising copy and materials
- Organizational charts
- Market research reports
- Marketing/player development data and analysis
- New project proposals
- Architectural renderings/design plans
- Financial filings
- General distribution memoranda
- Photographs/slides
- Correspondence
- Biographical material
- In-house publications
- Employee newsletters
- Speeches and articles by executives and employees
- Office files of retiring officers and staff members; selected outdated
files of current employees
What
are the benefits of creating a Corporate Casino Archive?
Creating an archive within UNLV Special Collections allows casinos to
store their old files in an easily accessible, secure, and stable location.
Unlike commercial document storage companies, UNLV does not charge any
storage fees. Casinos will always retain access to their files. In addition,
future researchers will be able to draw upon these materials and gain
a better idea of exactly how casinos operated. Casinos also gain the prestige
of being associated with a major scholarly initiative.
Will
anyone be able to use donated files? What about confidential materials?
Donated files will be accessible to the same academic researchers who
use UNLV Special Collections, provided there are no restrictions placed
on their access to the general public. Casinos may want to impose time
restrictions on the use of some materials-for example, certain promotional
files may not be accessed until ten years after their original use. Before
donating files to UNLV Special Collections, casinos can negotiate specific
restrictions and terms of use to be placed on their files.
How
does a casino create a Corporate Archive?
First, identify the files to be donated. Second, contact UNLV Special
Collections and discuss any restrictions to be placed on specific materials
or other special concerns. Finally, arrange for the physical transportation
of the files in question with UNLV Special Collections.
Who
do I talk to at UNLV Special Collections?
Dave Schwartz
Coordinator, Gaming Studies Research Center
(702) 895-2242
dgs@unlv.nevada.edu
Su Kim Chung
Manuscripts Librarian
(702) 895-2241
skchung@unlv.nevada.edu
Peter Michel
Director, Special Collections
(702) 895-2243
peter.michel@ccmail.nevada.edu
Fax: (702) 895-2253
Mailing address:
UNLV Special Collections
Box 457010
4505 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154-7010