California State University, Northridge’s librarians and archivists started building primary and archival research collections in the early 1990s to help students and other researchers discover and analyze decades-old information.

CSUN’s Delmar T. Oviatt Library has opened a new archival research exhibition, “Sources of Inquiry: Exploring the Foundations of Primary & Archival Research,” that showcases historical documents free to students and the public. The exhibition will run through July 1, 2018, and is located inside the library’s second floor in the center of campus at 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge.

The “Sources of Inquiry: Exploring the Foundations of Primary & Archival Research” exhibition is located on the second floor of the Delmar T. Oviatt library. Photo by Ruth Saravia.

“Researchers who engage with primary and archival sources often work with information not seen or considered by others, and, as a result, they can conduct original analysis, advance new arguments and draw unique conclusions,” said Ellen Jarosz, head of special collections and archives at CSUN.

The exhibition contains artifacts such as marriage licenses, affidavits, general commercial leases, grant deeds and FBI documents. Additionally, the exhibition also displays annotated examples of original correspondence such as memoirs, diaries, legal records, photographs, historical newspapers and visual art.

“The great strength of primary research materials is that they present information without interpretation or evaluation,” said Jarosz.

Generally, students utilize the archives to complete coursework, while other researchers use them for writing books, articles and magazines, Jarosz continued.

The Oviatt library serves as the main research facility in the San Fernando Valley. The exhibition will be open during Oviatt library hours. To see Library operating hours please visit the Library hours website. For more information please visit the Library website or call (818) 677-2285.

Delmar T. Oviatt Library