Historically archives and museums have sought out collections to keep in their institution. Many members of the community are not ready to donate their cherished family heirlooms to a museum or archive. The East Texas Research Center (ETRC) at Ralph W. Steen Library views collecting material in a different light. They are helping to preserve and disseminate Texas cultural heritage through the promotion of preservation of Community Collections. ETRC temporarily borrows material from the community or members of the community bring their historic material to be digitized and added to the TIDES database.