The Archives collects historically significant materials that support the institutional history of Canisius College. Materials collected are non-current items. "Non-current" generally refers to material more than two years old, although items of immediate archival importance may also be covered by this definition. What the Archives collects is not restricted by format and may include paper, audiovisual and electronic documents if their subject matter is deemed appropriate.
The Archives does not serve as the official records management program for the Canisius College. The Archives does not, therefore, collect in any official capacity, the financial, legal or operating material pertaining to student accounts or employee work information maintained by various departments on campus as part of their daily business. The Archives collects significant materials that support the institutional history of Canisius College.
If you are unsure if material is appropriate for placement in the Archives, please call us at Ext. 2530. The Archivist is available to physically review the material before it is sent over.
For further information regarding the use of the Archives and Special Collections go to the Policies & Procedures page in the yellow box to your left.
Collection Guidelines are provided in the following FAQs.
- What Material Should be Given to the Archives?
- Official records from the office of the President, Vice Presidents, Deans, Directors and Department Heads (records that reflect the formal policies of the administrative unit as a whole, not individual or personal records)
- Approved minutes of Departments, Committees, and Faculty meetings, etc.
- Faculty publications (books and articles from peer reviewed journals), past and present
- Photographs of the College, buildings, people, and events relating to Canisius College
- Memorabilia and mementos collected by students during the course of the College’s history (e.g., orientation shirts, bobbleheads, key chains, mugs, etc.…anything that gives a sense of student activities at the College and popular trends). We are particularly interested in receiving meeting minutes of student organizations, and scrapbooks, or other documents related to their missions.
- Programs of events held at the College (i.e., official events, awards ceremonies, student productions, special study programs).
- What Materials Should Not Be Given to the Archives?
Please do not send to Archives:- Individual files from faculty members who are retiring, unless they represent official departmental business of historical significance
- Routine academic departmental information such as job offers to candidates, list of projects, purchases, etc.
- Individual student records
- Information that originates from organizations outside of Canisius College
- Personal correspondence—unless it relates to the history of Canisius College in some highly important way, e.g., significant reactions to changes taking place or substantial comments on college issues.
- Financial, legal, or business transactions that are routinely processed through business offices on campus.
- How and When Should Materials be Transferred to Archives?
Items may be boxed and sent to the Archives office, sent through interoffice mail or through e-mail as an attachment. The Archives is located on the second floor of the library.
It is preferable to have the materials delivered in person. Please call ahead to make sure someone is here to receive materials. Materials should NOT be left at the Circulation or Reference desk on the first floor.- January and June are preferred times to transfer materials. At the close of semester, departments often “find” materials of historic significance.
- Other times of the year are fine, too, as long as you call Archives ahead of time, especially if you have several boxes.
- Most important, please be certain to include a note with contact information (i.e., department name, person forwarding materials and phone number. Please provide a list of materials with the date range they represent.
- What Happens Once Material is Given to the Archives?
- Materials are properly accessioned and catalogued. When you give your material to the Archives, you agree to let the Archives determine if and how much of the material is appropriate for use.
- The Archives keeps records of all materials that are added to the collection to retain a solid provenance including the date the materials arrived and where they originated.
- Any restrictions regarding use of the material should be discussed prior to donation. If no restrictions are noted, then the collection will be made freely available to all interested researchers.
- Use of the Archives collection is monitored, and preferably by appointment. All records are kept securely locked when Archives staff is not present. Other library staff is unable to access the Archives or Special Collections for patrons. This practice ensures that Canisius’ history will be conserved and preserved for years to come.
- Materials held in Archives do not circulate. Please do not ask to borrow materials. Use is on-site only, or via photocopies or scanned images, when appropriate.
- Who Should Be Called for More Information?
Please call Archives and Special Collections to discuss any of this information or to discuss any other questions relating to the collections or use. Arrangements for use of archives for classroom instruction are available.
Kathleen DeLaney – Archivist, Ext. 2916 or delaneyk@canisius.edu
Nancy Noel—Archives Technician, Ext. 2532 or noel1@canisius.edu