University Archives

Yale Charter

The Yale University Archives is the official repository for Yale University historical records.

The University Archives stewards the institutional memory of Yale. Our archival holdings provide a broad historical focus on Yale’s evolution and role in society. Researchers may request materials from the University Archives through Special Collections. Access to some materials is restricted.

Donations to the Archives | Information for Researchers | Yale Publications

For Yale Offices

For Student Organizations

Collecting Policies

Donations

The University Archives does not accept any unsolicited donations from Yale alumni or the general public.

University offices and affiliated organizations with records to transfer should review the instructions provided in For Yale Offices.

Student organizations with records to transfer should review the instructions provided in For Student Organizations.

Teaching Collection

The University Archives holds a collection of Yale publications, class books, diaries, and other historical documents which are used in undergraduate coursework. A teaching collection affords students the opportunity to learn and engage with primary source historical materials. Unsolicited items offered to the University Archives may be selected for addition to the teaching collection.

Please contact University Archives at archives@yale.edu.

For Researchers

Restricted Materials

All University records are restricted for a proscribed period of time. Restricted records must be reviewed by University Archives staff, and in many cases access will not be granted. The Office of the Secretary oversees the records restriction program, and University Archives works with that office to process requests for access. Access to restricted material is granted at the discretion of the Office of the Secretary, and all decisions are final.

If you request restricted material, you will receive an automated message with instructions to contact University Archives to provide more information. If you do not contact the University Archives, your request will not be processed. When you contact University Archives, we will conduct a restriction review of the requested material and work with the Office of the Secretary to determine what, if anything, can be made available.

Researching Yale History

Researchers may request University Archives records for use in the Manuscripts and Archives Reading Room in Sterling Memorial Library or in the Beinecke Library Reading Room. Some reference material is available on site; however, most material is stored off site and must be requested in advance. See Using Special Collections for information on how to register and request materials.

Subject Guides

Subject guides highlight collection material and information about key aspects of Yale history, including resources on Women at Yale and Yale and Slavery.

Yale Publications

The University Archives collects publications created by and for the University on a rolling basis. This includes student-produced publications. These publications are key historical resources containing valuable information. Researchers can search for University publications by title, author, or subject using Quicksearch, and can learn more about the library’s holdings using the Yale Publications subject guide.

Print

The University Archives accepts one copy per issue. Publications may be sent to the University Archives by mail, or arrangements may be made to drop off at Sterling Memorial Library.

Student groups may deposit one archival copy of each issue at the Bass Library Service Desk whenever new issues are published. Please let library staff know that you are depositing the library’s archival copy when dropping off the issue.

For more information, please contact archives@yale.edu.

Digital

Digital publications may be uploaded to Eli Scholar, Yale Library’s digital publishing platform. Student organizations may submit materials with faculty sponsorship. For more information about this process, please contact the Eli Scholar team.