Special Collections and University Archives is divided into several different types of collections: 

• Special Collections contains groups of records related to themes, topics, or people that are relevant to Grand Valley State University student and faculty research and/or local history
• University Archives contains records related to Grand Valley State University's history
• Rare Books contains books that do not circulate outside of Seidman House due to their rarity, value, or fragility
• Digital Collections contains portions of both Special Collections, University Archives, and Rare Books and are available online for research use
• University Publications contains student newspapers and other publications of Grand Valley State University, available online via our institutional repository

Finding Aids

Searching Special Collections and University Archives is different from the library. Instead of a catalog we use "finding aids" that provide context for collection materials as well as other relevant information and, often, inventory lists of collection contents:

• Download the Step-by-step guide to searching our archival finding aids (PDF)
• Learn how to read a finding aid with our Anatomy of a Finding Aid guide (PDF)

Remember, you can search online to find what you'd like to use, but physical materials must be used onsite.

General Search Tips

• Try different keywords and combinations of words. Be flexible! 
• Try variations of personal names. Sometimes it's easiest to put in only the last name or search a whole names in quotes.
• Use the "Subjects" heading to find the best terminology for your search.

Words to Know

It can feel confusing to use archival resources when you don't understand the jargon! Here are some of the most useful words to know for archival research:

• Archives: Records created or received by a person, family, or organization and preserved because of their continuing value
• Special Collections: A cohesive collection of non-circulating research materials held together by provenance or thematic focus
• Finding Aid: A descriptive tool providing information about a particular record or collection
• Provenance: Where the record came from. This could include who created it, previous owners, or storage locations
• Metadata: Data about data. Metadata is used to classify, manage, and describe digital resources
• Series: Similar records grouped together because they are created, used, or received in a related way
• Manuscript: Any handwritten or unpublished text
• Digitized: A paper or analog record that has been scanned onto a computer

More definitions can be found at the Society of American Archivist's Glossary. 

Ready to start searching our collections? Find step-by-step guides for searching our other collections below. 

More Search Guides

• Guide to Searching Digital Collections
• Guide to Searching Rare Books
• Guide to Searching University Publications in our institutional repository

Primary Sources

Special Collections and University Archives holds mainly primary sources. Primary Sources are direct, firsthand evidence about an event, topic, or person. A primary source is the subjective interpretation of a witness to an event. The Library of Congress defines them as the "raw materials of history". Primary sources include everything from diaries, letters, manuscripts, audio and video recordings, speeches, artwork, interview, surveys, emails, scientific research results, census records, etc. 

If you are analyzing or interpreting primary sources for your research, you may find these resources useful:

• The 6 C's of Primary Source Analysis (PDF)
• HAPPY Method of Primary Source Analysis (PDF)
• 20 Questions to Ask a Primary Source (PDF)

Archival Statements for Traumatic Materials

We acknowledge that materials within our collections may be traumatic for our users. We encourage you to exercise mental and emotional self-care when interacting with potentially disturbing or traumatizing materials.

• Indigenous Archival Materials Statement
• Slavery Materials Traumatic Impact Statement

Citations and Copyright

Use our Archival Citations handout (PDF) to make sure you have all the information you need for accurate citations. 

Or, visit our Citations and Copyright page for more information. 

Contact us before visiting

Our Reading Room has limited space. Setting up an appointment helps us ensure that you have space to research, and that the materials you would like to use are ready and waiting. Archivists may know if there are related materials in our collections, other collections, or available online for you to access as well. 

See our Reading Room use policy to prepare for a visit.