Welcome to the Meriam Library Special Collections and University Archives, a unique regional resource of written and pictorial materials which document the historical as well as the contemporary issues of the 12-county region known as "Northeastern California" as well as the history of California State University, Chico.

Special Collections is composed of several "collections" which are housed together in this non-circulating area of the library because of rarity, source, condition or form. Access to the material is provided primarily through the Meriam Library's online Library Catalog. Use of these items is limited to the Special Collections reading room and are available for research by faculty, students, visiting scholars, and community members.

Explore Our Collections

Manuscripts Collection
Historical Map Collection
University Archives
Photograph Collection
Rare Book Collection
Northeastern California History

Primary Source Literacy Instruction Modules

Conceptualize, Discover, Describe, Interpret, Use

Primary sources are materials in various formats that serve as original evidence documenting a time period, an event, a work, people, or ideas. In these sessions students will learn how to conceptualize, discover, describe, interpret, and use primary source material for a variety of purposes.

Select a module for more information:

Schedule Primary Sources Instruction