Special Collections was established in 1973 to house the Library’s manuscripts, rare books, periodicals, maps, prints, and art. Processed and cataloged collections are open for research. Special Collections holds over 35,000 cataloged items and 150 manuscript and archival collections which support the University's curriculum, as well as the research interests of faculty and students on campus.
Collection Strengths
Holdings in Special Collections include manuscripts, printed books, audio-visual resources, and other materials. In addition to supporting curricular needs at California State University, Northridge, collecting is focused on several topical areas including American literature, California and the West, children's literature, the history of printing and publishing, human sexuality, music, 19th and 20th century Europe, radio and television scripts, religion, theater and motion pictures, and United States history.
To find archival and manuscript collections which are a part of Special Collections please visit the Finding Aid Database, search the Library Catalog, or the library's Digital Collections. For more information about how to access our collections, please read more about Using the Collections and our Duplication Services.
Selection of Materials
Library materials are designated for Special Collections when their format, age, scarcity, or other unusual characteristics merit special handling. The Special Collections and Archives Librarian determines what materials shall be placed in Special Collections. The librarian may also confer with members of the Library faculty regarding the transfer of items already in the collection that meet these criteria, and for the purchase of new materials.