Archives can refer to two different things -- a physical building and physical items. These items are usually primary source material that can include letters, photos, maps, artwork and other objects. A college archive contains material that is specific to the history of the college such as course catalogs, student newspapers, and commencement programs.
Often times, libraries will have archives. Yet, there are several differences:
| Libraries | Archives |
|---|---|
| Open stacks -- users have immediate access to material | Closed Stacks -- material is locked and often in a controlled room |
| Circulating -- material can be checked out | Non-circulating -- material stays in the archives |
| Multiple copies of material | Unique, one of a kind material |
| Catalogued -- material can be search in an online catalogue | Finding Aid - document to describe individual items |
Check out the video about archives and hear from artists, volunteers and archivists: