Collection F-247 - SFU Archives reference and display materials collection

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

SFU Archives reference and display materials collection

General material designation

  • Photographic materials
  • Sound recordings
  • Moving images
  • Textual records

Parallel title

Other title information

Title statements of responsibility

Title notes

  • Source of title proper: Title based on the contents of the collection.

Level of description

Collection

Reference code

F-247

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

Statement of projection (cartographic)

Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • [ca 1870] - 2002 (Creation)
    Creator
    Archives and Records Management Department

Physical description area

Physical description

5.3 m of textual records
3997 photographs
579 contact sheets
429 negatives
213 slides
15 sketches
2 videocassettes: VHS
1 cassette tape

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1968 -)

Administrative history

The University Archives acquires, preserves and makes available three categories of materials: (1) the official records of the University, including those created by the Board of Governors, Senate, University committees, faculties, departments and administrative offices; (2) materials documenting the wider University community; and (3) historical research collections that promote the teaching and research activities of the University.

The Archives was established within the University Library in 1968 when librarian Liisa Fagerlund was appointed University Archivist on a half-time basis. She continued in this post until 1975 when she left the University. From 1975 to 1978, the Archives functioned within the Special Collections division of the Library. Archival duties were carried out by various library staff members. In 1978, the University Archives was established as a separate administrative unit outside of the Library. Donald Baird, recently retired as University Librarian, became University Archivist and held this position until his retirement in 1990. Jim Ross served as University Archivist from 1991 to 1993, and was succeeded by Ian Forsyth in 1994.

When the Archives was a function of the University Library, the University Archivist reported to the University Librarian. When the Archives was established as a separate administrative unit, the University Archivist reported directly to the University President. The reporting structure changed in 1986 when the University Archivist reported to the Vice-President, Research/Information Systems; in 1990, when the University Archivist reported to the Associate Vice-President, Academic; and in 1996, when the University Archivist reported to the Registrar/Dean of Students.

Custodial history

Over the years, the University Archives acquired a variety of materials from the Media and Public Relations office (since 2006 known as Public Affairs and Media Relations). These materials were retained for their informational value although they were never formally integrated with the Media and Public Relations fonds (F-61). Archives staff used this material to create displays and to answer reference questions. Over the years, they added additional files originating from other University departments.

Originally, the Media and Public Relations office kept these materials in their internal files so they could keep track of potential story leads. Additional files have been added to the collection since the Media and Public Relations fonds first had been processed. Even though the materials held little evidential value for the Media and Public Relations office, their residual informational value made it worthwhile to combine them with similar material previously collected by the Archives.

Scope and content

Collection predominantly consists of photographic material (photographs, portraits, contact sheets, negatives, proofs, and slides) but also includes textual records such as clippings, publications, news releases, posters, and miscellaneous documents. It mainly comprises publicity material relating to the activities and topics documented by Media and Public Relations and that includes the photographing of SFU people, departments, organizations, places, and campus events for producing press releases, brochures, and other University publications.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Material was originally collected and donated to the Archives by the Media and Public Relations office.

Arrangement

Arrangement follows the Media and Public Affairs office's internal filing scheme from which most of the materials originated.

Language of material

Script of material

Location of originals

Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

Most files in the collection have an open access status, but some of the files may contain personal or confidential information. Files marked 'pending review' must be reviewed by an archivist prior to release and, as a result of the review, access restrictions may apply. Please see the file lists and consult the archivist for more details.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Finding aids

File list is available for all series.

Finding aid

Associated materials

See the inventories for Media and Public Relations fonds (F-61) and the Dennis Roberts fonds (F-160). In 1966, the University hired Roberts, an experienced newsman and public relations director, as its first full-time information officer. Roberts wrote news releases and prepared brochures, some of which is included in the SFU Archives Reference and Display Materials collection.

Related materials

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Alternative identifier(s)

Standard number area

Standard number

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Control area

Description record identifier

Institution identifier

Rules or conventions

Status

Published

Level of detail

Full

Dates of creation, revision and deletion

Finding aid prepared by Enid Britt, Karen Whale, Lisa Dickie, and Jude Welburn (September 1997).

Updated by Enid Britt, Frances Fournier, and Kelly Spray (August 2001).

Updated by Michelle Curran (March 2012).

Language of description

Script of description

Sources

Accession area

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