University Archives & Special Collections

University Archives and Special Collections is home to the Kelvin Smith Library’s rare books and manuscripts collections, and the records of Case Western Reserve University.

Our team supports and promotes the use of these unique and distinctive collections through acquisition, management, preservation, and exhibition of our holdings.

University Archives

The University Archives maintains the corporate memory of Case Western Reserve University by preserving and using University records and publications of continuing value. Materials in the Archives document the significant aspects of the University's development and serve as a convenient source of reliable information about University programs, people, policies, and property.

Special Collections

Kelvin Smith Library Special Collections preserves, describes, and provides access to unique archival collections and rare books for researchers on campus and across the globe.

Upcoming Event
KSL Early Researcher Series Presentation from University Archives and Special Collections: How We Can Help You: Identifying and Using Primary Sources
April 10, 2024 2:00-3:00pm in the Freedman Center Collaborative Commons

Join archivists from the University Archives and Special Collections to learn about the importance of primary sources in your research. We will explore primary and secondary sources; the nature and challenges of using primary sources; and how to find the sources you need. Register for this event through Campus Groups.

Bill Claspy opening the cover of a rare book in the Hatch Reading Room