University Archives and Special Collections Services

Our comprehensive range of services is designed to provide you with a seamless and engaging experience, granting you unparalleled access to the past. From rare documents and photographs to institutional records and personal collections, our dedicated team of archivists is committed to ensuring that the rich history of Kennesaw State University remains alive and accessible for generations to come. 

  • Whether you are interested in introducing students to primary source literacy, archival research skills, or resources available in the University Archives and Special Collections, our archivists can work with you to develop an instruction session or assignment to meet your learning objectives.

    Given our limited time and resources, please contact Archives staff to begin planning any instruction or assignment prior to the beginning of the semester.

    Our menu of instructional services is as follows:

    Synchronous Instruction: Plan a session with an archivist or curator covering primary source literacy and KSU Archives/Bentley Rare Book Museum collecting areas, with exact content and length tailored to your course subject and level. Tour of Archives facility or current exhibition optional.

    Asynchronous Instruction: Meet your learning objectives by utilizing one of our digital modules. Existing modules and suggested assignments are available on our Resources page. New modules tailored to specific course content can be requested at least one month in advance of the date needed. 

    Collaborative Assignment: Plan an assignment with an archivist or curator in which your students utilize materials from the KSU Archives or Bentley Rare Book Museum. Collaboration with an archivist or curator in the planning phase is required for any assignment requiring student appointments to ensure that the Archives is able to meet your needs. 

    To plan an instruction session or assignment with one of our archivists, please submit a class request through the ServiceNow Portal and an archivist will contact you shortly. 

  • Our trained, professional archivists are available to assist KSU faculty, staff and administrators with a variety of projects, including but not limited to:  

    • Oral history projects
    • Departmental history projects  
    • Primary source literacy assignments  
    • Archival research instruction
    • Individual Research Inquires

    Please contact us at archives@kennesaw.edu or through our Service Request Form. 

    For consultations regarding university records, please visit the Records and Information Management Service Request Portal.

  • Last updated: 04/02/2020

    Please use this form to arrange a records transfer or donation of digital files.

    If you wish to donate both physical and digital materials, please contact the KSU Archives at archives@kennesaw.edu

    Please provide date range (month/year) of the overall collection, if known.

    Please state in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB).

    Anything else we should know?

     

  • As part of our Mountains to Metropolis Oral History Project (funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities), the Department of Museums, Archives and Rare Books will offer a special opportunity for paid and course credit-eligible internships for the Summer 2024 semester. Interns will assist in indexing and describing a collection of oral histories using software applications and will conduct related historical research. Student interns will work with members of the KSU Archives and Special Collections unit, housed in the Sturgis Library on the Kennesaw campus.

    NOTE: This is a paid internship at the rate of $11.50/hour.

    Minimum Education Required
    Must be enrolled as a KSU student during the internship semester and be eligible for internship credit. Consult with your academic advisor or department internship coordinator to determine eligibility.
     
    Minimum Experience Required
    Must be enrolled at the Junior level or higher, with 1.5 – 2 years experience. 

    Key Responsibilities

    • Assist with indexing and describing oral histories using the Oral History Metadata Synchronizer.
    • Engage in historical research to support indexing and description activities.

    Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

    • Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, independent judgment, communication (verbal and written), time management, and presentation skills
    • Strong attention to detail and follow up skills
    • Ability to work independently and apply critical thinking 
    • Strong historical research skills
    • Comfortable learning new software systems/applications

    Preferred
    Interest in 20th Century American history and/or Georgia History   

    Applications for Summer 2024 internships will be accepted starting March 1. To apply, please email the following to archives@kennesaw.edu:

    • Resume, including your contact information, anticipated graduation date (if known), and work experience
    • Cover letter including a brief description of your interest in the internship

    A maximum of 3 hours of course credit is available per internship, contingent on permission from the internship coordinator within your major/area of study. 

  • User Guides

    Our Quick Reference Guide contains basic information on the KSU Archives, our collections, and conducting archival research. For detailed instructions on using our online catalog and digital collections, see our Guide to Searching and Browsing the KSU Archives and Special Collections.

    How to Submit a Request for Research Assistance

    Use our Service Request Form to submit a research question or a request for assistance to the University Archives and Special Collections staff. When filling out the form, provide as much detail as possible regarding the request, such as full names of individuals or organizations, relevant geographic locations, and dates or date ranges.

    Collections for Research

    Our processed collections have been organized, reviewed for confidentiality and privacy concerns and copyright restrictions, described, housed in preservation-appropriate containers, and have a record (finding aid) in the Archives online catalog. 

    To inquire about research with any of these collections, please place a Service Request including as much of the following information from the online catalog as possible:    

    • Collection title  
    • Collection ID number  
    • Box and/or folder number in which the content is located

    Unprocessed collections are those that are in the same condition and order as when they were received by the Archives. Many of these have a minimal record in our online catalog. Users may also inquire as to whether the Archives holds any unprocessed collections relating to KSU, SPSU, or individuals and organizations in north and northwest Georgia that may be relevant to their research. 

    How to Schedule an Appointment

    Please schedule an appointment with an archivist in advance of any visit, preferably two days or more in advance. Visit our Service Request Form to schedule an appointment.

    Browse by Subject

    Visit our Archives and Special Collections Subject Guide to browse for collections and resources relating to specific topics like African American history, Architecture & Surveying, Fine Arts, LGBTQ history, and more. 

  • The University Archives and Special Collections permits patrons to photograph unrestricted collection materials using their smart phone. Our archivists will inform you if any of the materials cannot be photographed due to restrictions.

    Permission to Publish

    Discover the steps involved in getting permission to publish an item from the University Archives and Special Collections here.