University of Victoria Special Collections & University Archives

Overview

The Special Collections and University Archives at the University of Victoria (UVic) is a department of the McPherson Library in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. It preserves rare books, manuscripts, historical photographs, and the institutional records of UVic, serving researchers, students, and the public.

History and Founding

UVic was founded in 1963, and Special Collections developed alongside the university as a repository for rare and distinctive materials. Lara Wilson has served as director of Special Collections. In addition to its physical holdings at McPherson Library, UVic maintains several digital archive platforms: Vault (vault.library.uvic.ca), UVicSpace (dspace.library.uvic.ca), and collections hosted at the Internet Archive.

Collections and Holdings

Special Collections holds rare books, literary manuscripts, local and regional history materials, university archives documenting UVic's institutional history, and specialized collections across British Columbia and Pacific Northwest history and culture. Notable holdings include materials relating to indigenous cultures, environmental history, and BC literary figures. The University Archives component preserves the administrative, academic, and historical records of the University of Victoria itself.

Access and Usage

In-person access is by appointment at McPherson Library, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC. Digital materials are accessible via Vault, UVicSpace, and the Internet Archive. Researchers can contact the department at speccoll@uvic.ca or archives@uvic.ca.