This online resource was published by the Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archives and Special Collections in 2024 in order to make their archival and museum content more accessible for everyone.
Content of the Archives
The Dole Archives has one of the nation's largest collections of papers and artifacts for a nonpresidential politician, containing the records of Bob and Elizabeth Dole's careers in politics and public service. These records include a wide variety of topics in government, politics, and domestic and international affairs of the latter half of the 20th century. The Archives also include photo collections consisting of over 25,000 images, audiovisual materials, and an extensive collection of oral histories, as well as art, artifacts and textiles.
Rights
Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different kinds of materials. Some of the documents and other historical materials in the Dole Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. However, there are other materials that carry a copyright interest that must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Dole Archives issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted materials.
Access
The majority of the collections are open for research. Some materials within the Dole Archives are restricted because of their sensitive nature or because they contain personal or confidential information. These records are protected by federal laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Examples of restricted records are personnel files, medical records, financial records, and any materials containing personal information such as addresses and social security numbers. Restricted materials are identified within the finding aid. Questions about these materials may be directed to the Senior Archivist of the Dole Archives.
Technical Notes
Some items in the collection require various technologies for use such as a VCR, 3½-inch, 8-inch, or 5¼-inch floppy disk drive, or a mini-cassette player. The Dole Archives does not have the technology on-site to play or digitize this material. Items such as text documents or photographs not available online may be made available via in-house digitization, for a fee. Digitization from a third party vendor of our selection is available for a fee. Digitization may take 3-4 weeks to complete. Please inquire for more details.
