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Archives and Special Collections

The mission of the Archives and Special Collections Department is to support and enhance the University’s instructional, research, and public service activities by providing access to information resources for learning and scholarship to University students, faculty, and staff. The Archives and Special Collections Department acquires, secures, catalogs and preserves special collections of rare books and manuscripts, as well as the University Archives; it makes these materials accessible to UTSA faculty, students and alumni, as well as to the local, national and international community of researchers and scholars.

The Department’s research collections are open to anyone agreeing to abide by the Reading Room rules governing use. There is no charge for using collections with the exception of costs associated with making photocopies or other reproductions of materials. The Department’s staff is available to guide researchers and provide access to the research collections. Only simple, ready reference queries can be addressed via correspondence, e-mail, and telephone, as staffing constraints prevent in-depth research services as part of the reference function. The Department’s collections are Reading Room-use only.

There are two reading rooms, located on two different campuses. The Archives Reading Room is located at the Institute of Texan Cultures campus on the second floor. The Archives holds the manuscript collections and University Archives. Manuscript collections include private papers and organizational records documenting economic, social, cultural, and political trends related tothe history of San Antonio. The University Archives holds collections of the various departments and offices, as well as faculty member papers.

The Special Collections Reading Room is located on the 2nd floor of the JPL Building on the 1604 campus. Special Collections holds the rare and fine press book collections of the University Library. While the book collection focuses primarily on San Antonio, Texas, and the southwest, of special note is the John Peace book collection concentrating on the Spanish Colonial, Mexican Republic and Republic of Texas periods.

For more information contact:

210-458-2381
archives@utsa.edu