Find and use collections

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How to access our collections

We have different types of collections that you can access at Special Collections:

  • Physical collections: Most of our collections only have physical materials, so you'll need to visit us in person to access them. Our materials are one-of-a-kind and require special care, so they can't be checked out or taken home.
     
  • Physical + digital collections: Some materials in our our physical collections have also been digitized, meaning we have both physical and digital versions of the materials. You can access the physical materials in person at Special Collections and digital materials from the collection's page on our website.
     
  • Digital collections: We also have collections that are completely digital, meaning their materials are available online only. If a collection has digital materials, you can access the digital materials from the collection's page on our website.

Find a collection

All collections: Search all collections from Special Collections.

  • Use if: You're new to using our collections or doing archival research. Our website gives helpful previews of collections so you can learn about them at a glance.

Collection guides in ArchivesSpace: Search all collection guides, or finding aids. ArchivesSpace has the most detailed and up-to-date information about our collections.

  • Use if: You have some experience searching our collections, and you want the most detailed and accurate information about what's in a collection.

Audio and video recordings: Search digitized audio and video recordings only.

  • Use if: You're looking for audio or video materials, including oral histories and archival motion pictures.

Arizona Archives Online: Search our collections and collections from other archives in Arizona.

  • Use if: You want to broaden your search to include other archives in Arizona. 

Other archives in ArchiveGrid: Search collections in archives, libraries, museums and historical societies from all over the world.

  • Use if: You want to broaden your search to include archives outside of Arizona.

To find books, journals, and newspapers in Special Collections:

  • Go to library search
  • Type what you're searching for and press enter to search
  • Filter what material type you're looking for by selecting books, journals, or newspapers from the "Material Types" dropdown
  • Filter for location by selecting Special Collections from the "Library" dropdown

To improve your search, find tips on how to use library search and how to search for books, specifically.

All digital collections: Search all digital collections from Special Collections.

  • Use if: You want to find all digital collections you can access online.

Online exhibits: Browse our online exhibits.

  • Use if: You're looking specifically for exhibits, which are curated displays of our collections.

Audio and video recordings: Search digitized audio and video recordings only.

  • Use if: You're looking for audio or video materials, including oral histories and archival motion pictures.

Digital materials on ContentDM: Search digital materials.

  • Use if: You're looking for specific items you can view online.

UA Campus Repository: Search digital materials from University of Arizona students, faculty, and staff.

  • Use if: You're looking for digital materials from the University of Arizona.

Arizona Memory Project: Search digital collections and online exhibits in Arizona.

  • Use if: You want to broaden your search to include materials from other archives in Arizona.

Some legacy digital collections or exhibits have their own dedicated web pages:

Learn what's in a collection

Our collection guides, or finding aids, can help you find items within a collection and decide at a glance whether a collection is relevant to your research needs. Collection guides are linked from each collection's page on our website.

A collection guide is like a table of contents for a collection. It has a description of the history, topics, and items within a collection, the people or organizations that created it, and how the collection is organized.

how to use collection guides

Use our materials in your research

Cite our materials

Cite materials from Special Collections with the citation style you're using in your research. Your citation should include the name of the collection, manuscript number, box and folder numbers, and any other unique identifying details. The manuscript number starts with MS or AZ.

Our general citation format is:

  • [Name of collection, manuscript number, box and folder numbers for the item(s), other identifying details], courtesy of University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections.
  • Example: John Francis Holme collection, MS 001, box 1, folder 5, courtesy of University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections.

Get digital copies of our materials

You can request duplications and publishing permissions to use our materials your research.

Ask us a research question

You can ask us a research question, and we'll be happy to assist you. If you're traveling to visit us, ask us about materials related to your research interests before your trip so we can best prepare for your visit.

You can also browse guides created by our archivists to research specific topics.

Archival research terms

Use our glossary of archival research terms to understand common phrases that can help you find and use our collections. 

Harmful language statement

Our collections may contain language and content that is harmful or offensive, reflecting the society in which they were created. We strive to prevent harm through our descriptive practices while preserving the original content and context of materials.

We are dedicated to revising and updating descriptive language in our collection guides, or finding aids, and digital collections and acknowledge that this work is ongoing.