Each academic year Special Collections & Archives faculty and staff curate exhibits in the University Library exhibit gallery to promote research and contribute to the intellectual and cultural environment of the University Library. Last year in response to the pandemic, SC/A shifted exhibit planning from a physical, in-person exhibit to a virtual exhibit. This resulted in the creation of Los Angeles: On Film and On Record. The exhibit explores a number of popular films depicting Los Angeles within the storyline, setting, or both, and compares these visions, interpretations, and variations of movie Los Angeles with the documentary record of the real city.
For the new academic year, we are again presenting a virtual exhibit. Past / Personal: Examining Oral History Narratives highlights a selection of oral histories from a number of archival collections. For several decades CSUN students, faculty, and others have conducted oral history interviews with individuals who lived through significant historical events, participated in social movements, or experienced cultural trends that have shaped modern sociocultural perspectives. Some were completed as stand-alone interviews, while others were part of broader projects that focus on a particular theme, subject, event, or community. The exhibit considers both the highlights and challenges of these oral histories as primary sources through exploring six different themes. These themes include Remembering Childhood, Sharing Trauma, Witnessing History, Elevating Experiences, Differing Perspectives, and Creating Change.
Our exhibits are one of several ways to connect with our collections online. Peek in the Stacks blog posts will also continue to be a way to virtually "browse" through archival materials and the rare book collection. While SC/A faculty and staff worked primarily from home, the Peek in the Stacks blog posts centered on materials that were digitized and accessible online. Moving forward, Peek in the Stacks will return to featuring both physical and digital materials from our collections.
As fall semester begins, the Special Collections & Archives reading room will continue to be open to CSUN students, faculty, and staff for in-person visits on an appointment-only basis. We will also continue to provide remote reference and duplication services. For the most up-to-date information on accessing physical materials in person, please see the SC/A landing page.
