Special Collections and University Archives holds over 80,000 printed volumes, over 500 manuscript and archival collections, 800 linear feet of university records, numerous graphic and ephemera collections, and digital collections. 

Print Collections

Special Collections holds over 80,000 printed volumes.  Some of our collecting strengths include:

Alternative Religious Movements

Edward Gorey Personal Library

Henry James Collection

Historic Astronomy Collection

Janus Press Collection

Natural History

Speculative Fiction

Surfing Collection

Manuscript and Archival Collections

Special Collections holds over 500 manuscript and archival collections. Over 400 of these have been fully processed and made available to the public .  View some of our primary source material in this YouTube Video .  Particular subject strengths include:

Chicana/o History

San Diego History

Performing Arts

Women's Studies

Religious Studies

University Archives

University Archives documents the history of San Diego State University. Listed here are a few of our university-related holdings:

University Archives Photograph Collection

San Diego State Historical Collection

University Archives Biographical Files

University Archives Topical Files

Associated Students Records

University Senate Records

Graphic and Ephemera Collections

Special Collections holds many graphic and ephemera collections which include artwork, prints, broadsides, drawings, postcards, comics, zines, sheet music, bookplates, and magic lantern slides. Collections of note include:

Edward Gorey Collection

Peabody Magic Lantern Collection

Adams Ephemera Collections

Zines & Mini-Comics Collection

Comic Arts Collection

Digital Collections

Several collections from our holdings have been digitized and are available in iBase . These collections include:

Adams Trade Card Collection

University Archives Photograph Collection

Carmen Sandoval Fernandez Poster Collection

San Diego Photograph Collection

Vince Meades Sheet Music Collection