Amherst College Collection of Native American Literature (Selections)
The Amherst College Collection of Native American Literature represents some of the earliest published writing by Native authors from the 18th century up to literature published today. Although generally known as "the Kim-Wait/Eisenberg collection," or simply "the KWE," the Amherst College Collection of Native American Literature is actually composed of multiple discrete collections, along with multiple acquisitions of individual items by gift and purchase. Detailed provenance information about sources and donors is included in catalog records to make the source of our acquisitions as transparent as possible. The Amherst College Library is committed to continuing to build this collection as a resource that is open and accessible to the public at large, as well as to students, faculty, and scholars. New records are regularly added to the Amherst College Library Catalog as books are received.
More information about this collection is available on the Archives & Special Collections website. The selections available in ACDC are drawn from the titles that are in the public domain, with 116 already digitized and more coming in the future.
We strive to be sensitive to privacy concerns and the sharing of indigenous knowledge through material in ACDC. Concerns about privacy or indigenous knowledge in ACDC that should be redacted or taken down should be directed to libdig[at]amherst.edu.
The Amherst College Library is committed to thinking communally about the best practices related to culturally appropriate engagement with Native American and Indigenous materials. We are open to thinking collaboratively with regional partners, Indigenous organizations, and community members on initiatives and interventions into the library and information science field to uplift tribal sovereignty and respect Indigenous ways of knowing.
