I suppose my question should be: should I look at photographing the collections as establishing a "permanent record' or just think about it as something that will probably have to be done again in 'x' number of years?

I think your goal certainly should be to establish a permanent record with the highest quality photography on film that you can accomplish--including professional quality lighting.  Why waste your time doing a project that will just have to be repeated?  With the negatives as your archival record, you can scan them to produce your working digital files to use for reproduction purposes, selective printing, Web display, etc.  If economics forces you into a cheaper alternative, so be it, but I'd push for permanence if at all possible.  By contributing your labor, you're already saving the institution the biggest cost.

 

David Haberstich