Library Special Collections Development Strategy and Policies

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.

Through collecting, LSC strives to:

• Engage with research, teaching and learning that serve UCLA faculty and students, as well as 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 of communities not adequately documented through traditional special collections formats.
• Work collaboratively within a network of other institutions to collect materials and preserve cultural heritage that without duplicating 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.