Special Collections and Archives collections

Special Collections and Archives > Collections

Introduction

Special Collections and Archives (SCA) encourages experiential learning through interdisciplinary research. Our collections focus on documenting the social and cultural history of California and the Central Coast, with emphasis on architecture, environmentalism, and the diverse communities of our region.

Explore collections

In the foreground, a 19th century ledger is on a book cradle. There are two people standing behind, looking at the ledger, just their torsos are visible, one is wearing a Cal Poly sweatshirt.

Online Archive of California

Search across many of our collections at the Online Archive of California.

Library Catalog OneSearch

Search our cataloged items (books, artists’ books, broadsides, journals, and more) at the library’s catalog, OneSearch.

Digital Collections

Search and browse digitized archives at the Online Archive. Additional University Archives digitized archives are available on DigitalCommons@CalPoly. Since 2014 SCA has been archiving web pages, browse the web archives here.

Research Guides

Just getting started? Explore SCA guides to collection areas and subjects to learn more.

Browse by collecting area

University Archives

California Architectural Collections

Regional and California History Collections

San Luis Obispo Environmental Archives

Fine Printing and Graphic Arts Collection