What We Collect
UCLA Library Special Collections (LSC) acquires archives, rare books, manuscripts, photographs, ephemera, audiovisual materials, digital files, cartographic and other primary source materials of a rare or unique nature. We acquire new holdings predominately through donations and transfers, and purchase a select amount of material. We also create new scholarly documentation through conducting oral history interviews that support our current collecting priorities.
The nature of stewarding special collections holdings requires LSC to be selective in what it acquires and makes available for research.
Library Special Collections Principles for Collecting Material
- Engage with research, teaching, and learning that serve UCLA faculty and students, and visiting researchers.
- Acquire rare, unique, and valuable materials.
- Develop world-renowned collections in selected areas.
- Emphasize collecting materials that document the history, society, and culture of UCLA, Los Angeles, and Southern California.
- Grow our national and international collections.
- Support existing research areas in multiple disciplines and anticipate emerging and future research trends.
- Provide rich documentation within our collecting priorities, regardless of format.
- Create new scholarly resources by conducting in-depth oral histories not adequately documented through traditional special collections formats.
- Work collaboratively within a network of other institutions to collect materials and preserve cultural heritage that do not that duplicate the collection strengths of others.
- Steward materials to preserve them and make them discoverable and available for research indefinitely.
- Evolve over time by reviewing this policy periodically.
- Avoid acquisitions that duplicate the collection strengths of other institutions.
What Guides Our Collection Decisions
UCLA Library Special Collections makes a full stewardship commitment to materials we acquire and make acquisitions decisions with the expectation that we will be able to preserve materials adequately and make them discoverable and available for research.
