Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Center

Mission Statement The OSU Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC) stimulates and enriches the research and teaching endeavors of Oregon State University through primary sources. As part of the university's land grant mission, SCARC makes these resources available to the OSU community, Oregonians, and the larger community of scholars and independent researchers. As the repository for and steward of the libraries' rare and unique materials, we build distinctive and unique collections in our signature areas: natural resources, the history of science, university history, hops and brewing history, and Oregon's multicultural communities. These collections encompass manuscripts, archives, rare books, oral histories, photographs, ephemera, audio/visual materials, electronic and born digital records. To achieve this mission, the Special Collections and Archives Research Center: - Provides unique opportunities for teaching and learning - Facilitates discovery through online access to SCARC collections - Provides responsive, personable, and expert public service - Assists communities in collecting, managing, preserving, and making their histories accessible - Promotes access to and preservation of SCARC collections by collaborating within the OSU Libraries, the University, and regional primary resource communities - Engages high achieving students through experiential learning opportunities Department History The Special Collections & Archives Research Center was formed in 2011 with the merger of the Oregon State University Archives and the OSU Libraries Special Collections. Since 2016, SCARC has also served as home to the OSU Libraries and Press Digital Production Unit. The Oregon State University Archives was founded in 1961 with the intention of acquiring and preserving historical materials relating to the university. The department was expanded in 1966 to include one of the first records management programs of its kind. After several locational and organizational changes, the University Archives joined the OSU Libraries on September 1, 2000. In 1986, a quarter century after the University Archives opened its doors, the OSU Libraries Special Collections was established as a repository for the university’s growing rare book and manuscript collections. Building on its conerstone collection, the Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers, the department grew to include dozens more collections documenting the life and work of scientists and historians. Today, the Special Collections & Archives Research Center is located on both the 3rd and 5th floors of the Valley Library, housing more than 1,300 archival collections and tens of thousands of rare books and fine bindings. SCARC's mission is to maintain and makes available the university’s unique collections of manuscripts, archives, photographs, moving images, oral histories and books. Its holdings include collections pertaining to the history of science and technology; the historical records of OSU and papers of its prominent faculty members; cultural and ethnic groups in Oregon; hops and brewing history; and natural resources in the Pacific Northwest, especially agriculture and forestry. SCARC is committed to promoting public access to the department’s holdings through educational opportunities and community outreach, and continues to support and develop a robust, publicly available web presence including Oregon Digital, the University History portal, and Linus Pauling Online, among other resources.