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Special Collections & Archives

Special Collections & Archives is the home of CSUN's rare book and periodical collections, as well as its archival and manuscript collections. Archival and manuscript collections can consist of many different kinds of materials, including correspondence, diaries, maps, university records, organizational records, photographs, and audio or video recordings. 

In Special Collections & Archives users can perform research, engage in classes using primary sources, or view exhibitions. Our collections are made available to researchers in a supervised reading room. We welcome users, and ask for understanding concerning our special procedures, which are designed to ensure these collections are available in the future.

Take a Peek in the Stacks

collection highlights

Psychological Warfare Branch graphic, ca. 1941-1945, Psychological Warfare Branch Scrapbook

In Spring 2024 Special Collections & Archives ran a pilot project to test workflows that rely on the expertise of CSUN students and librarians working collaboratively to remediate metadata in our finding aids and digital collections. The project was shaped by the CSUN University Library's Reparative Description Task Force Report's recommendations to....

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Exterior view of the former Crenshaw Center, with a sign for customer parking and the Broadway department store building still intact, circa 1980-1988. Roland Charles Collection..

Crenshaw Boulevard is recognized as the commercial and cultural spine of Black Los Angeles. In recent years, however, surrounding neighborhoods in central Crenshaw have undergone dramatic change as “revitalization” projects promising opportunities for economic growth have threatened the historical and cultural character of this community...

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