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Welcome!

The Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives (SCUA) serves as the principal location for manuscript collections, rare books, fine press, and university archives at California State University, Sacramento. The primary strengths of SCUA are post-World War II political, social, and environmental history of the Sacramento region, as well as the history and records of the California State University, Sacramento. Special collections include the Japanese American Archival Collection, the Tsakopolous Hellenic Collection, the Southeast Asian Community Resource Center Collection, the Royal Chicano Air Force Poster Collection, the Sacramento Rock and Radio Collection, and the Sexual and Gender Identity Collection. Further collections can be found on the Online Archive of California.

Image of the Department of Special Collections and University Archives

 

Plan Your Visit

  • We highly recommend making an appointment. It will help us serve you better and save you time!

  • If using a book in SCUA, it is best to have the title and call number from OneSearch in advance.

  • If using archival material, it is best to look at our finding aids on the Online Archive of California (OAC) and provide the collection name, box(es), and folder number(s) for easy retrieval.

  • If using archival collections, be prepared to spend a substantial amount of time looking through the material.

Reading Room Guidelines

Handling of manuscripts and archival material: Please retain the order in which materials are placed in boxes. Use outcards available from desk staff and remove only one folder at a time. Do not rest items on top of document or write notes on paper or cards placed on top of a document.

Handling of rare books: Rare books should be handled with extreme care. Please do not place stress on the binding by opening book a full 180°. Per the discretion of staff, delicate bound materials will be required to placed on foam supports for viewing.

Handling of photographs: Please use gloves, which are available from desk staff.

Handling other items: Some additional materials will require gloves, which are available from desk staff.

Duplication services: At the discretion of SCUA staff, duplication of originals is available, with some exemptions based on conditions, donor restrictions, and copyright. Please notify desk staff if you want to have copies made. Departmental staff does all copying. Pricing varies based on project.

Camera Use: Under limited circumstances, we allow researchers to use their own cameras to photograph certain materials. Patrons must agree to the guidelines in the “Photography and duplication Agreement Form” form.

Returning materials: All materials are to be returned to the desk staff when you leave for the day. Please let desk staff know if you are finished with the materials or if you wish to place them on hold. If you need to leave the reading room, please inform staff.

Researcher’s responsibility: The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel and copyright. Please see copyright form for more information.

Citation: Items used must be attributed in a caption, citation, or other appropriate method. Guidelines for attribution can also be found on the Image and Permissions form.

The University Library reserves the right to refuse service for non-compliance with these rules.

*Registration, personal belongings, note taking, cell phone use, computer access, wifi, copyright*

SCUA FAQs

  • Is SCUA open to the public or just Sacramento State students, faculty and staff?
    • SCUA is open to the public as well as the Sacramento State University Community. Anyone is welcome to use the services of the archives, as long as they are willing to abide by our reference and retrieval procedures.
  • Is an appointment required to visit the archives for research?
    • An appointment is recommended for visiting the archives, as it gives staff more time to locate material that may be of use to your research. However, we are also open for walk-in visits. We recommend looking at our University Library Collections Page or Online Archive of California list of finding aids to get an idea of what you may want to look at ahead of your visit. Please be aware that we may not be able to complete your request in one visit if significant research is involved. Email us at lib-scua@csus.edu for more information about research appointments.
  • Do you provide instruction?
    • Yes! We are happy to provide instruction on a range of topics at SCUA. Some examples of presentations are Introduction to Archives, History of Sac State, and History of the Book. Please do not hesitate to inquire about instruction requests at lib-scua@csus.edu or on the Library Instruction Request form.
  • Do you offer one-on-one consultations? 
    • Yes, we are available for one-on-one consultations. Please email lib-scua@csus.edu with your consultation request, and it will be forwarded to the subject-area specialist.
  • How do I find out what is in SCUA?
  • Do you accept donations?
    • We do accept donations on a regulated basis. If you believe you have a collection that is relevant to either Sac State or the social, cultural or political history of the Sacramento region, reach out to us at lib-scua@csus.edu with details and to set up an appraisal visit. Please do not expect to drop donations off at our Reading Room without first contacting us and receiving approval. 

Resources Available

Printed Secondary Sources in Special Collections & University Archives. 

The Diary of Johann August Sutter
Spec Coll & Univ Archives; F865.S9 A26

Early Sacramento: glimpses of John Augustus Sutter, the Hok farm, and neighboring Indian tribes
Spec Coll & Univ Archives; F869.S12 P33

Sutter's Fort: gateway to the gold fields
Spec Coll & Univ Archives; F865.S9 L4

Sacramento: an illustrated history: 1839 to 1874, from Sutter's Fort to Capital City
Spec Coll & Univ Archives; F869.S12 S48

Archeological investigations at Sutter's Fort State Historical Monument, 1959
Spec Coll & Univ Archives; F 865 .O58

A pioneer at Sutter's fort, 1846-1850
Spec Coll & Univ Archives; F865 .L72  

Lack of Representation in Archival Institutions

There are many reasons for the lack of representation in archival institutions.

  • Historical exploitation: Colonization practices led to the removal and destruction of material over time. Much of what is found in archival institutions is research by scholars, anthropologists, and sociologists, not individuals or tribal communities. This also makes it difficult to search and find material.
  • Bad collecting practices: The material was often collected through exploitative means, looting sacred sites, and taking advantage of vulnerable communities.
  • Traditional archival practices often conflict with Native American cultural practices and beliefs: Oral history tradition versus written records, individual ownership of information verse belonging to the community, stories, songs, and sacred narratives might be considered sensitive and should not be widely accessible.
  • Lack of collaboration and involvement with tribal communities to preserve their culture

What is the impact of these actions?

The absence of Native American voices in the historical narrative can lead to an inaccurate understanding of history and a misrepresentation of a culture's heritage.

Efforts

NAGRPA: The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act aims to return human remains and cultural artifacts to their rightful communities.

More specifically for archival and manuscript collections is the Protocols for Native American Archival materials. This set of guidelines archivists developed to promote ethical practices around handling Indigenous material, including consultation with travel communities and respecting cultural sensitivities.

Last Updated: Sep 4, 2024 1:00 PM