About Special Collections

Special Collections, a department of the Robert E. Kennedy Library at Cal Poly, was established in 1969 to build primary source research collections that reflect and support the polytechnic curriculum of the university.

Scope

Major subject areas in the collections include:

California Architectural Archives

Architects, architecture and the built environment of California; landscape architecture in California; Julia Morgan; and William Randolph Hearst and San Simeon.

Fine Printing and Graphic Arts Collections

Book arts; fine printing; graphic arts; John Steinbeck first editions; and Robinson Jeffers first editions.

San Luis Obispo Environmental Archives

Environmental history; Links to the Land

California History Collections

San Luis Obispo regional history; ethnic studies; and social history.

Mission

Special Collections acquires, preserves, interprets, and provides access to primary research materials in their original formats, including books, manuscripts, archives, and other items, in support of the educational and research activities of the Cal Poly academic community, visiting scholars, and the research community at large.

Contact Information

Reach us by telephone: (805) 756-2305

Fax: (805) 756-5770

Address:

Special Collections & University Archives, Room 409

Robert E. Kennedy Library, Cal Poly

1 Grand Ave.

San Luis Obispo, CA 93407