Robin Brabham, founding head of Special Collections and University Archives at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, discusses the development of the manuscript collections at Atkins Library, focusing on collecting strategies, building trust in the community for the archive, particular collections of significance, and the challenges of building collections. [All times are approximate]. [00:00-04:00] Introduction and discussion of the archives field in the early 1970s with respect to how archivists approached collecting manuscript materials. Mr. Brabham notes that there was surprisingly little discussion about methodologies at the meetings of the Society of North Carolina Archivists and the Society of American Archivists that he attended. He was therefore mostly following his instincts when he started collecting Charlotte Mecklenburg history in the early 1970s. [04:00-12:00] He details how he approached collecting papers surrounding the Swann v Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board of Education case. Resulting collections included the Julius L Chambers papers (lead attorney on the case), the Benjamin S. Horack papers (attorney hired to represent the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board), and the William Waggoner papers (regular attorney for the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board at the time). He reflects on the technicalities of collecting lawyer's papers and concerns about confidentiality. [12:00-16:40] Mr. Brabham reflects on the the politically charged time he arrived in Charlotte in 1969 as a factor in his collecting decisions. [16:40-19:28] He describes the Manuscript Advisory Board that was established in about 1969 and chaired by library director Joe Boykin. The group established a collecting policy that focused on the post-World War II history of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. He notes that there was a consideration at the time that libraries at UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, and Duke University had already collected much local history relating to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. [19:28-23:00] Discusses the collecting of Charlotte mayoral papers, starting with the papers of Mayor Stan Brookshire. Describes how a system was eventually established by a working committee of former mayors and faculty to have mayoral papers transferred from the city approximately four years after a mayor left office. Describes how some mayoral papers prior to Mayor Brookshire's time in office were also obtained, including small collections for mayors Lance, Baxter, and Douglas. [23:00-28:17] Describes a missed opportunity to collect the papers of one of Charlotte's first mayors from his descendants in Florida, but also how the descendants did donate a significant though deteriorated early North Carolina map. Describes the extensive and expensive restorations made to the map. [28:17-31:00] Discusses the geographic area determined as an appropriate collecting area for Special Collections, comprising ten North Carolina counties and two South Carolina counties. Later the South Carolina counties were dropped since the Winthrop University library began collecting. Expresses regret at not collecting from neighboring Union and Cabarrus counties. [31:00-38:30] Discusses the history of cataloging rare books and manuscript collections and how this was not a usual practice until the late 1980s. Details how cataloging of rare books and manuscripts began at Atkins Library. [38:30-48:40] Discusses collecting the papers of local civil rights activists in addition to Julius Chambers, including the papers of Harry Golden, Fred Alexander, and Kelly Alexander. Describes how Jean Meacham, a staff member at the library, was able to facilitate the connection with the Alexander family which led to the donation of their papers. Remarks on the national significance of these collections and their relation to the local and national history of the NAACP. [48:40-52:00] Mr. Brabham describes how he saw manuscript collections as material for students to learn how to do original research, and how this has now become a successful practice. [52:00-1:00:26] Discusses the significance of his involvement with the Mecklenburg Historical Association for connecting with local families with long histories in the area, gaining trust on behalf of the archive, and collecting several significant local collections. Details the importance of building a relationship with Dick Banks who had inherited Cedar Grove plantation and a voluminous family archive dating back to the late eighteenth century from his Torrance forebears in Northern Mecklenburg. Describes how the Torrance and Banks papers were initially microfilmed in-house so that they could be preserved without collecting the originals, and how over time Mr. Banks decided to donate the whole collection. [1:00:26-1:11:50] Discusses how gaining the trust of Mr. Banks facilitated relationships with other deep rooted Mecklenburg families, including the Rural Hill Davidsons, the Rosedale Davidsons, and the Patterson family. Notes that he was on various boards from time to time which helped with building trust with potential donors. [1:11:50-1:37:12] Continued discussion of family papers, including regrets where collections were elusive or lost, successes where one contact could facilitate the preservation of a family collection, missed opportunities, and the delicacy of knowing when to get involved. [1:37:12-1:42:30] Discusses the pros and cons of collecting congressional papers, the decision not to pursue Jim Martin's papers, and the value of collecting Sue Myrick's congressional papers. [1:42:30-2:00:40] Discusses outside researchers who were the majority patrons in the early period of Special Collections. Discusses other collections including the Gail Haley papers. Reflects on relationships with other archives. [2:00:40-2:04:40] Mr. Brabham lists collections that he would highlight for "show and tell" situations, including the Harry Golden exhibit, the Fred and Kelly Alexander papers, the Chambers papers, the Reginald Hawkins papers, and the ledgers and account books from the Torrance and Banks papers. He discusses where he feels there were gaps in the collections, in particular relating to local businesses.