Our collections
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.
Anarchist activism
Archival materials documenting the history of anarchist activism in Canada and internationally.
Key collections:
Our collection of printed anarchist ephemera includes magazines such as Bulldozer, Kick It Over and Open Road.
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 Sierra Club of British Columbia and the Victoria Branch of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee
- research materials on marine biology from UVic faculty and other researchers, such as Derek Ellis and Alan Austin
- significant BC and local parks history, such as Chester P. Lyons and Ian McTaggart Cowan fonds
- archives of researchers with popular-science careers
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 Book of Hours (Use of Rome) and Book of Hours (Use of Troyes)
- John Lydgate's Fall of Princes
- extracts from the Bartholomeus Anglicus Encyclopaedia De Proprietatibus Rerum (On the Properties of Things)
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 University of Victoria 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 Board of Governors, executive offices, faculties, academic departments and administrative offices
- surviving records of UVic's predecessors, Victoria College (1903–1962) and the Provincial Normal School (1915–1956), which became the Faculty of Education
- Records of student societies, 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 Finding Aids database. 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: Vault, UVicSpace and the Internet Archive.
Collection mandates
Special Collections supports the learning, teaching and research activities of the University of Victoria 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 University of Victoria Archives acquires materials that serve the long-term administrative and legal needs of the University of Victoria 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 BC Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Requested records will be reviewed for private or confidential information. Access may be provided under a research agreement.