Casino and Gaming Corporate Archives
To date, three
major gaming corporations have chosen to establish their corporate
archives at UNLV Special Collections.
The MGM
Mirage Corporate Archives include files from MGM Grand, Inc. and Mirage Resorts (pre 2000), Mandalay Resort Group (1983-2005), and MGM Mirage.
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.
The Boyd Gaming Corporate Archives include a wealth of material taken from the Stardust after that legendary casino's 2006 closing.
Manuscript
Collections dealing with gaming are less comprehensive
than corporate archives, but offer valuable information nonetheless.
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outdated files of current employees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
Director, Center for Gaming Research
(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 |
