16 Miss. Code. R. 2-1.1
By law the Mississippi State Archives shall consist of &those public records and other documentary materials that have been determined by the department to have sufficient historical or other enduring value to warrant their continued preservation by the state and that have been accepted by the department for deposit in its custody (MCA 1972, § 25-59-3). The Division acquires all formats of records, including paper, graphic, audiovisual, and electronic, created by state agencies and elected officials. Division staff works with state agencies to determine appropriate records retention schedules and recommends to the State Records Committee retention of those records series most likely to be of historical or enduring value. Inactive records may be transferred to the Archives directly from an agency or from the State Records Center. The Division seeks to acquire official records of government entities that preceded the formation of the state and official state records that have been lost or removed from official custody. The Division acquires publications of state agencies, and serves as a secondary depository for said publications.
The Division also collects non-government materials in all formats, including paper, audiovisual, and electronic records. Such materials include personal papers and manuscripts, records of businesses and organizations, photographic images, maps, audiovisual materials, books, electronic records, and other materials which document the history of the state and its people. Materials may be donated by an individual or organization, bequeathed by an estate, or purchased if their value so warrants and funds are available. Loans are rarely accepted. The donor must be authorized to transfer title to the material, and unrestricted donations are preferred. Any restrictions placed on a donation by the donor must have a reasonable time limit. After materials become the property of the state of Mississippi, their return to the donor must be authorized by the MDAH Board of Trustees.
16 Miss. Code. R. 2-1.1