Textual records and other materials
The core of the UBC Archives holdings are textual records, produced in the course of the activities of their creators, which document the history of the University and its community. These records are acquired by the Archives from the University and its constituent offices (faculties, schools, departments, and institutes); independent student, alumni, and employee organizations; and prominent faculty and alumni. With a few minor exceptions, these textual records have not been digitized. Access to them is provided through the inventories listed here — researchers must cite the fonds or collection title and the box number. The records themselves may then be examined and read in the Rare Books and Special Collections and University Archives reading room.
Access to Institutional Records
Researchers are reminded that access to institutional records (that is, records created or maintained by University offices) is governed by Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) legislation.
Requests to access institutional records must be reviewed by Archives staff or by the University’s FOIPOP Coordinator.
A Research Agreement is required to access institutional records.
Use of Private Records
Non-UBC records and private archives are open to researchers, subject to donor-imposed limitations. However, researchers are strongly advised to contact the University Archives regarding permission to publish or otherwise use such materials.
Visiting the Reading Room
Please note that starting September 1, 2025, Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) and University Archives (UA) will move to appointment-based Reading Room visits. This change will allow us to continue to serve library patrons during a construction project impacting our access to storage areas. We will be unable to accommodate walk-in visits until further notice. If you would like to request RBSC or UA materials to consult in the Reading Room, please schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance during weekday business hours.
About Fonds and Collections
Archival material is arranged and described as either fonds or collections .
A fonds consists of the records (textual, photographic, audiovisual, cartographic, etc.) created or acquired and maintained by an individual or an organization in the natural course of his/her/its activities.
A collection is an artificial accumulation of documents, gathered by an individual or an organization, devoted to a single theme, person, event, or type of record.
Unless stated otherwise in the index, records held by the University Archives are maintained as fonds. Entries for collections list the name of their collector.
Browse
Search all archival holdings in AtoM:
Alternatively, browse fonds and collections using the links below: