Libraries & Archives

There are numerous libraries and archives on campus and in our local community that can help you with your research.

The University of Arizona Libraries

The UA Libraries offer collections of delicate documents, bound sources, and microforms for on campus use. Through the Library Catalog online, students are able to discover photocopies or electronic versions of publications and expand their research through larger databases.

There is also a specialized librarian, Mary Feeney, who is able to help history students find what they're looking for. 

Main Library

The Main Library houses books, periodicals, and microforms relating to the social sciences, humanities, fine arts, education, and business. It also holds collections of media, maps, and government documents. You can also find collections for children's literature, Chinese and Japanese studies, and Middle Eastern studies. 

Location: 1510 E. University Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85721-005

Special Collections

Special Collections offers research assistance, class instruction, and duplications of archival material. Special Collections also features a thorough exhibit on a semesterly basis. Its largest collections include:

  • Arizona and the Southwest
  • The Borderlands
  • The University of Arizona
  • Literature
  • Performing Arts
  • The History of Science
  • Political Affairs

Location: 1510 E. University Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85721-005

Fine Arts Library

The Fine Arts Library houses a music collection including reference materials, books, journals, scores, sound recordings, and films. The library also houses:

  • National Flute Association Library with extensive collections of scores, recordings, and monographs in Western art music, particularly opera.
  • Hill Collection of Popular Sheet Music
  • Phillips Collection of Popular Music
  • William K. Bunis collection of recorded jazz.

Location: Fred Fox School of Music 1510 E. University Blvd., Rm. 233 Tucson, AZ 85721-0055

Science-Engineering Library

The Science-Engineering Library houses materials relating to life and physical sciences, engineering and technology, and military sciences.

It also holds collections in photography and the fine arts, including visual arts, architecture, sculpture, illustration, design, drawing, painting, printing, and decorative arts. See locating books & other materials.

Location: 744 N. Highland Ave. Tucson, AZ 85721-0054 

Health Sciences Library

The Health Sciences Library is the primary source of knowledge-based health information in Arizona. The Health Sciences Library provides access to the latest published research and gives scientists and health care providers tools to improve the quality of life for people everywhere.

Location: 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, 2nd Floor Tucson, AZ 85724-5079

Arizona State Museum

The Arizona State Museum Library and Archives is a research collection specializing in the Anthropology of Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. They are open to the public and serve as a space for research, study, and learning.

Location: The second floor of the Arizona State Museum, North Building (1013 E. University Blvd.)

Arizona Historical Society

The Arizona Historical Society Libraries & Archives Division collects published and unpublished material of enduring historical value that allows researchers to explore Arizona’s economic, political, social, and cultural heritage. Formats include  manuscripts, photographs, diaries, letters, oral histories, sound recordings, moving images, microfilm, maps, books, and digital files. 

Location: Arizona History Museum 949 E. 2nd St. Tucson, AZ 85719 (for other AZ holding sites, visit Archive Locations)

Postal History Foundation

The Postal History Foundation exhibits a variety of cultural and historical objects related to postal history. Many of these objects are displayed in the main building, inside the Naco post office front. Others are located in the Slusser Library.

Also on display throughout the main building are philatelic (stamp) related memorabilia and collections, such as poster-size stamp replicas hanging on the walls. The Carl Lemar John Exhibit Room, also in the main building, contains six of the “standard” APS exhibit frames.  These display rotating exhibits from the Postal History Foundation archives, or from items that are pertinent to special activities ongoing at the foundation.

Manuscript collections:

  • MS 006 Bechtel (Robert) Collection
  • MS 017 Peters (Cal) Paintings and Diorama Collection
  • MS 032 Postal History Foundation Records
  • MS 042 Postal History Foundation Arizona Post Office Field Trip Collection
  • MS 043 Flagg (Mary) Collection
  • MS 045 New Mexico Territorial Covers Collection
  • MS 046 Bernheim (Betty) Arizona Automobile Covers Collection
  • MS 047 Arizona Territorial Covers Collection
  • MS 048 First Day of Issue Programs
  • MS 050 Williamson (Omega) Collection
  • MS 051 Slusser (Peggy) Collection
  • MS 054 Arizona Star Routes

Photo collections:

  • PC 001 Arizona Post Offices

The Heliograph (Journal)

Arizona Memory Project contributed exhibits:

  • Arizona Automobile Correspondence
  • Arizona Territorial Post Offices
  • Postal Campaigns – Tucson AZ and Surrounding Areas
  • Rosa Ronquillo Rhodes – The Life of the Redington Ranch Postmistress
  • Territorial and Early Statehood Arizona Postcards

Arizona Memory Project collaborative exhibits:

  • American Flag Ranch and Acadia Ranch: The Story of Oracle’s Post Offices
  • Between the Tracks: The Story of the Old Vail Post Office
  • Jerome Postal History

Exhibits hosted on the website:

  • Arizona’s Postal History

Location: 920 N 1st Ave Tucson, AZ 85719

Arizona Memory Project

The Arizona Memory Project provides access to the wealth of primary sources in Arizona archives, museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions. Visitors to the site will find some of the best examples of government documents, photographs, maps, and multimedia that chronicle Arizona's past and present.

Collections include resources like:

  • Documents and publications about all levels of Arizona government
  • Newspapers published in Arizona between 1859-1922
  • Stories about Arizonan culture
  • Maps of the Southwest
  • Oral histories
  • Photographs 

Location:

Digital Arizona Library
Polly Rosenbaum Archives and History Building
1901 W Madison St
Phoenix AZ 85009