Collecting Policies

University Archives

The University of Missouri Archives was established in 1969 to collect, preserve, and make available the organized body of permanent records created or received in connection with the transaction of University and University System affairs. Collections and manuscripts are selected for preservation in the University Archives primarily because of their historical research value. University Archives Collecting Policy

Special Collections and Rare Books

Many of the most significant items in the collections are the result of donations from individuals or were purchased through funds provided by the Friends of the University of Missouri-Columbia Libraries and the State Historical Society of Missouri Library. These donations have provided resources to make Special Collections a vital center of research for the MU campus, the State of Missouri, and the national and international scholarly communities. Collection Development Policy

Supporting the Collections

If you would like to discuss a potential donation to Special Collections, please contact MU Libraries Director of Development, Matt Gaunt.

You may also wish to consider participating in the Adopt-A-Book Program. Many of the books in our collections are fragile, others need minor repairs, still others require extensive help if they are to survive this century. Please consider sponsoring a book. All monies will go directly to the care and maintenance of rare, fragile and just plain good books.