Tomlinson Library's Special Collections and Archives department collects and provides access to materials on the history of Western Colorado and the archival records of Colorado Mesa University. The collections include digital content; physical manuscript and record collections; rare books; publications relevant to the department's collecting areas; the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission archive; and items of material culture such as pottery, artwork, and memorabilia.
Digital content is available in the Colorado Mesa University Digital Archive hosted by Mountain Scholar. Physical holdings can be identified using this searchable PDF, the library catalog, or by contacting the Special Collections and Archives Librarian.
Tomlinson Library Special Collections and Archives includes material that may contain content considered sensitive, harmful, or offensive according to present views. These items indicate societal attitudes and norms at particular points in time. All material in Special Collections and Archives and the Colorado Mesa University Digital Archive is retained, preserved, and made available without alteration in an effort to represent the historical record. We provide access to materials without endorsing the attitudes, expressions, or behaviors found within them.
Please contact Amber J. D'Ambrosio, Special Collections and Archives Librarian
970.248.1864
Tomlinson Library, Room 338
Appointments are available between 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Appointments requested outside of these hours will be considered according to staff availability.
Internships
The Special Collections and Archives Librarian at Tomlinson Library supervises internships for students interested in gaining experience and skills related to the archival profession, public history, writing and editing for professional purposes, and rare book and special collections librarianship.
Students in the history and English programs have completed internships, but all majors are welcome to apply for opportunities.
Projects may include
- Researching, designing, and installing exhibits
- Processing and describing archival collections
- Writing and editing manuals, collection descriptions, and social media content
- Creating guides to the collection around specific subjects
- Other projects that enhance access to or understanding of the materials held in SCA
Employment
Students interested in work study and MAVworks employment in Special Collections and Archives can check Handshake for availability but are welcome to inquire with the Special Collections and Archives Librarian directly.
Projects for student employees may include
- Shelving books and other materials
- Relabeling folders and boxes
- De-duplicating publications
- Shifting collections and books
- Scanning photographs and documents
- Creating inventories
- Identifying and organizing historical photographs
Please note that Special Collections and Archives is a quiet environment and student workers stay consistently busy so there is no opportunity to complete homework or chat with friends.
Special Collections and Archives accepts donations of books and archival materials that align with the following collection development priorities
- History of Colorado Mesa University
- History and people of the Grand Valley, Western Slope of Colorado, and Eastern Utah
- Water management in the Colorado River watershed
- Prominent industries of Western Colorado and Eastern Utah
- Material that will support courses taught at Colorado Mesa University
Archival materials include items like photographs, zines, letters, scrapbooks, oral histories, records of local organizations, and a wide variety of other physical and digital material.
Recent donations have included
- World War I era scrapbook from a local family
- Civil War era diary from a local family
- Records of the Grand Junction chapter of the American Association of University Women
- Researcher registration form - Anyone wishing to access materials held by Special Collections and Archives will be asked to complete this form on their first visit and asked to sign the register on subsequent visits.
- Deed of gift - Anyone wishing to donate physical or digital materials to Special Collections and Archives will be asked to complete this form. Please consult with the Special Collections and Archives Librarian prior to donation to confirm that the materials meet with the collection development priorities for SCA.
- University records transfer form - University staff will be asked to complete this form prior to transferring University records to Special Collections and Archives. Only records with a permanent retention or those with historical value should be transferred to SCA. Please consult the Special Collections and Archives Librarian with any questions regarding record retention.
Visitors to Special Collections and Archives should consult the visitor parking page to learn about current parking access and fees.
Special Collections and Archives is located on the 3rd floor of Tomlinson Library on the opposite side of the building from the books.