Robert E. Kennedy Library
About University Archives
The University Archives, a department of the Robert E. Kennedy Library, was established in 1978 as the official repository for the historical records of California Polytechnic State University.
The University Archives provides information on campus life, organizations, and activities; the physical campus, its facilities and the built environment; non-confidential information on faculty, administrators, staff and alumni; and campus lore and traditions.
The University Archives is also an excellent source on the history of the State of California. In its educational mission and activities, Cal Poly has been closely linked with the economic growth and development of California. As a result, California agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry and agricultural education, as well as engineering, aeronautics, architecture and environmental design are some of the areas represented in the holdings of the University Archives.
Mission Statement
The University Archives of Cal Poly acquires, preserves, interprets, and provides access to research materials in their original and digital formats, documenting the history, growth, and development of California Polytechnic State University.
What We Do
The staff of University Archives appraises, acquires, arranges and describes these materials for the purpose of preserving them and making them accessible to both the Cal Poly community and the larger research community for research and exhibition purposes.
The department maintains these research materials separately from Kennedy Library’s general stack collections due to their rare/unique qualities, physical condition, and/or format. Materials held in University Archives do not circulate outside the department. Signed permission to quote from our holdings is required for publication, exhibition or broadcast. Licensing fees may also apply to images used in publication, exhibition or broadcast. Please visit our Research Access page for more information.