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Purdue University Northwest Archives and Special Collections

Purdue University Northwest (PNW) Archives and Special Collections mission is to identify, collect, preserve, and make accessible to researchers materials pertaining to the history of PNW.

Donating Materials to the Archives

Interested in giving historical materials to be included in the Archives?

Here's what to expect:

If the materials fit our collection development policy, please call or email and we'll talk about the materials in detail.

We'll discuss access and use of the materials and special projects like digitization.

I'll prepare a form called a Deed of Gift for you to sign that will describe the materials in full and explain that you are giving the materials to the University Archives

What We Collect

Items published by the University 
Example: Skylark, Yearbooks, catalogs, university histories, magazines, press releases

Records from administrative offices, academic departments, and functions of the University 
Example: annual reports, administrative memos and letters, Senate minutes, committee reports

Items that document student life and organizations
Example: photographs, student organization material, posters for events on campus

Personal papers, professional files, or manuscripts related to notable alumni, faculty, and administrators
Example: The Papers of Chancellor Dworkin, The Papers of Miriam Joyce

Materials related to the history of affiliated organizations, consortia, and institutions 
Examples of these types of institutions: WJOB, Hammond Reads Inc.

Biographical, bibliographical, or publicity materials related to notable or distinguished alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators
Example: news articles, obituaries, awards, eulogies, speeches 

These archival materials are in a wide variety of formats and are unique, one of a kind, and original.  They are mostly papers, photographs, scrapbooks, and historic artifacts, but we also collect audio recordings, video recordings, digital files, microfilm, and more.  As long as the materials meet the criteria above, we will likely accept it regardless of format.

Final decisions on accepting materials will be at the discretion of the University.         

What We Don't Collect

If you have an item that you aren't quite sure about, please feel free to contact the University Archivist to discuss it. Here is a general guideline

  • Published books, magazines, and newspapers (not published by PNW, PNC, or PUC)

  • Moldy or severely damaged items

  • Museum objects, fine art, and textiles directly unrelated to PNW

  • Student academic work that does not relate to the history of PNW

  • Duplicate items, including scanned or photocopied materials

  • Materials without a direct connection to PNW or its affiliated organizations or institutions.

Final decisions on accepting materials will be at the discretion of the University Archivist.