Archives

College Archives

The SUNY Niagara Archives, part of the Henrietta G. Lewis Library, contains materials documenting the history of the College. The collection includes: yearbooks, student newspapers, news clippings, photographs, programs, administrative records, student and faculty publications, college catalogs, commencement programs, and other materials relating to the College.

Materials from the Archives are available for in-library use only. Contact Jean Linn, Cataloging Librarian & Archivist, at 716-614-6787 or jlinn@niagaracc.suny.edu for more information.

Purpose

The SUNY Niagara Archives’ primary purpose is to systematically preserve materials which document the creation and history of SUNY Niagara, and to provide ongoing evidence of the College’s development and activities. The Archives are responsible for managing materials of historical value relating to SUNY Niagara, as well as making them accessible.

What’s in the Archives?

Housed in the Henrietta G. Lewis Library, the SUNY Niagara Archives includes materials of permanent significance to the history of the College. Records in the Archives date back to the College’s inception in 1962 and include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Historical artifacts related to SUNY Niagara
• Faculty Senate and Committee minutes and reports
• Records from student government and student clubs
• Campus publications (e.g. student newspapers, yearbooks)
• Minutes of the College Board of Trustees
• Official reports of the College
• SUNY Niagara policy manuals, college catalogs, viewbooks, and commencement programs
• Pictorial and audiovisual materials related to the College
• Faculty and student publications
• Alumni materials
• SUNY Niagara special publications (e.g. brochures, special events programs, invitations)

Access to the Archives

Limitations in the way in which archival materials can be used may be dictated by the physical condition of the materials, its confidentiality, or restrictions placed by the donor.

1. Restricted Materials Official college records and documents not published nor intended for general distribution are considered confidential and access to them is restricted to designated and authorized individuals. Permission to use such materials must be received from the office of origin.
2. Unrestricted Materials Unrestricted materials are available for use in the Archives room or the Library by both Regular and Affiliated Borrowers. These basic guidelines apply to use of unrestricted archival materials:
   1. The Archives Collection does not circulate and no materials may be removed from the Library.
   2. Patrons must call in advance or submit a written request for use of archival materials to the Archives Librarian or the Chair of the Library. Requests should be specific, naming items needed and inclusive dates.
   3. The Archives Librarian or the Chair of the Library supervises access to the archival materials and its use within the Library.
   4. Photocopying of materials may be done in the Library building provided materials are not confidential, restricted by the donor, nor damaging to the work being copied.

If you have questions relating to the Archives or SUNY Niagara history, contact the Archivist for more information or to schedule a visit.

Donations of documents, photographs, memorabilia, and other items related to the history of SUNY Niagara are welcome within the limits of available space and resources, with the understanding that they may be used for educational purposes.