University Archives & Special Collections

Archival materials are in a wide variety of formats and should be 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.  Please see the collecting scope below to determine whether or not you may want to pursue donating your material to the Archives.

What we collect:

• Items published by the University 
  Example: The Denisonian, The Adytum 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, meeting minutes, committee reports, Board of Trustees materials
   
• Items that document student life and organizations
  Example: The Bullsheet, photographs, student organization material, Greek material, posters for events on campus, class reunion materials
   
• Personal papers, professional files, or manuscripts related to notable alumni, faculty, and administrators
  Example: The Papers of Hal Holbrook, The Papers of George Stibitz, The Papers of The Wallace Chessman
   
• Materials related to the history of affiliated organizations, consortia, and institutions 
  Examples of these types of institutions: Granville Female Seminary, Granville Female Academy/College, Young Ladies Institute, Shephardson College, Doane Academy, and Granville Female Academy/College, the Five Colleges of Ohio, the Great Lakes College Association, and the Ohio Baptist Education Society
   
• Biographical, bibliographical, or publicity materials related to notable or distinguished alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators
  Example: news articles, obituaries, awards, eulogies, speeches 

What we do not collect:

• Museum objects, fine art, and textiles that are unrelated to Denison
• Student academic work that does not relate to the history of Denison or to pre-determined curricula
• Duplicate items, including scanned or photocopied materials
• Materials without a direct connection to Denison University or its affiliated organizations or previous institutions.

If you have an item that you aren't quite sure about, please feel free to contact the University Archivist & Special Collections Librarian to discuss it. 

Final decisions on accepting materials will be at the discretion of the University Archivist & Special Collections Librarian.