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This page provides key access points to the print and digital materials held by Special Collections & University Archives. Find out how to search our collections or choose a featured collection to investigate.

Featured collections

Anarchist activism

Archival materials documenting the history of anarchist activism in Canada and internationally.

Key collections:

Our collection of includes magazines such as ,  and .

Artists, architects, writers, performers

Archives and printed materials relating to local and international individuals and organizations.

Key collections:

British Columbia history

Print and archival materials providing insight into the history of the territories of what is now the province of British Columbia. Includes material related to arts and culture, environment, politics, and social history.

Key collections:

Environmental research & activism

Archives and printed materials relating to environmental sciences and the environmental movement in British Columbia.

Key collections:

• archives of significant environmentalist organizations and community organizations, such as the and the Victoria Branch of the
• research materials on marine biology from UVic faculty and other researchers, such as and
• significant BC and local parks history, such as and fonds
• archives of researchers with popular-science careers

Indigenous rights & governance

Archival materials documenting contemporary activities by Indigenous peoples, sometimes working with non-Indigenous peoples, to advance Indigenous rights and self-determination.

Key collections:

Medieval & early modern manuscripts

Medieval and early modern books, documents and fragments from England, France, Spain and Italy. Documents include deeds, charters, letters and a papal bull.

Key collections:

• Book of Hours, including and 
• John Lydgate's
• extracts from the

Military history

Archival and printed materials documenting military history, primarily Canadian. From personal experiences to unit and organizational records.

Key collections:

• and

Transgender archives

A partnership between UVic Libraries and the Chair in Transgender Studies. This is the largest collection of Trans+ archival and print materials in the world, documenting the history of Trans+ activism, community organizing, research and creativity. Print collection includes historic books, newspapers, academic journals and zines.

Key collections:

University records & related archives

Records of permanent value to the ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ for its accountability as a public body, its institutional memory, and documentation of the social and cultural history of the university.

Key collections:

• records of the Senate and , executive offices, faculties, academic departments and administrative offices
• surviving records of UVic's predecessors,  and the , which became the Faculty of Education
• Records of , employee groups and faculty members

How to search the collections

Rare & unique print materials

Search for print materials locations in Special Collections & University Archives through the library search box. The items you will find are all part of the UVic Libraries collection. Learn more about using library search.

Archival materials

Search for archival materials in the . Archival materials include letters, diaries, scrapbooks and other unpublished documents, photographs, film and home movies, audio records and documentary art.

Digital collections

Some materials have been digitized and are available through the Libraries' digital platforms: ,  and the .

Collection mandates

Special Collections supports the learning, teaching and research activities of the ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ as well as local, national and international communities. We acquire rare and unique printed materials and private archives. These materials provide opportunities for original research in diverse areas. 

The ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ Archives acquires materials that serve the long-term administrative and legal needs of the ßÉßɱ¬ÁÏ and document the activities of affiliated organizations and individuals, such as faculty members. This includes:

• university records of continuing value
  • regularly transferred to the University Archives from university offices
  • transfers are governed by retention schedules of the records management program
• university publications of continuing value
  • includes monographs, serials and pamphlets that have been produced by UVic
• private archives from individuals and organizations who are directly affiliated with the university community
  • the archives of faculty members document the range of their teaching and research interests, and their contributions to the university

The Archives is responsible for the records management program of the university.

In some instances, the University Archives will acquire private archives that lie outside our primary areas of acquisition activity to protect records of historical significance. In all acquisition decisions, we give primary consideration to the acquisition policies of other archives.

Contact us

This page doesn't cover all of our materials. For help finding materials or learning more about our collections, contact us.

• Special Collections: speccol@uvic.ca
• University Archives: archives@uvic.ca 

Access to university records

Access to university records is governed by the . Requested records will be reviewed for private or confidential information. Access may be provided under a research agreement.