Archives and Special Collections
Mission
The archives is the official repository for NYU-Poly's records. It also houses materials on the important role NYU-Poly has played in the history and development of Brooklyn as well as its role in the advancement of scientific progress. The archives seeks to provide both historical material, as well as contextual supporting documents, to document the rich history and symbiotic growth of Brooklyn and NYU-Poly. The archives documents this history by preserving materials that illuminate the conducting of university business and illustrate the life of the larger NYU-Poly community.
The special collections at NYU-Poly are composed of a substantial book collection that represents the history of science and scientific development, the history of New York City, and specific topics in the humanities. This book collection both augments and contextualizes the archival and manuscript holdings.
Purpose
Archives
- Acquire, appraise, collect, arrange, organize, describe, and preserve the records of enduring historic value, in accordance with accepted archival standards and practices.
- Promote knowledge and understanding of the history of NYU-Poly.
- Document the institutional history of NYU-Poly.
- Implement records management policy to ensure the preservation of vital records.
- Implement procedures to preserve and safeguard the collections.
Special Collections
- To acquire, collect, catalog, and preserve the rare books contained within the greater collection.
- To catalog the book collection in accordance with DCRB (descriptive cataloging of rare books).
- To conduct preservation and conservation of the books within the accepted professional standards.
Original school newspaper
Student sci-fi magazine
Rare book collection
Collection Development
Archives
The NYU-Poly archive contains the following items, and collects in these specific areas:
-
Official records of departments and committees (both academic and administrative), and university and student organizations. These records include, but are not limited to:
- Minutes
- Correspondence
- Reports
- Publications
-
Personal and professional papers of noteworthy individuals, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, benefactors, and prominent individuals or businesses that contribute to NYU-Poly’s fields of study, or the history of Brooklyn. These papers include, but are not limited to the following:
- Correspondence (both paper and electronic)
- Biographical information
- Photographs and audio/video recordings
- Classroom materials
-
Theses and dissertations
- Newspaper clippings, press releases, and media reports
- NYU-Poly memorabilia and ephemera
- Yearbooks
- Catalogs and class schedules
- Alumni directories
- Scientific implements and instruments
These materials may be in the following formats:
- Paper
- Microfilm or fiche
- Photographs, slides, negatives
- Drawings and schematics
- Audio/video/film recordings
- Objects/ephemera
- Digital (electronic) files
- Paintings
Special Collections
The rare book collection is comprised of approximately 2000 volumes, composed of the following subject specializations:
- Science
- Engineering
- Exploration
- Geography
- New York City and Brooklyn history
- Some assorted topics in the humanities
Access and Use
The NYU-Poly archives and special collections are available for use by students, faculty, and staff of NYU-Poly, and to outside researchers. Use of all archives and special collections materials is by appointment only.
Requests for information made by mail, email, or phone will be handled as time permits and in the order received. Requests by NYU-Poly faculty, staff, students, or alumni will receive priority over outside requests.
Archival material and special collections books are subject to the following policies:
- All materials must be used in the library.
- Anyone wishing to use archival or special collections materials must fill out a Registration Form (PDF).
- A valid ID will be held until materials are returned.
- Use pencil only when making notes.
- Do not deface the items in any way (writing on, folding pages, etc.).
- Keep archival materials in the order received. Do not rearrange pages.
- Use care when handling books as pages and bindings may be fragile and brittle. Book cradles are available for use if the bindings are particularly fragile.
Restrictions
Use and reproduction of certain items may be restricted by law, university policy, or donor stipulation. Consult the archivist for more detailed information regarding use. Additionally, the archivist reserves the right to restrict access to items when usage poses a threat to the physical integrity of the items. Those items will be returned to active use after appropriate preservation actions have been taken, if feasible.
Preferred Citation
Please observe copyright restrictions. Permission to view materials does not confer permission to reproduce or publish. If material is quoted, please use the following citation format:
Title of document, date (volume, issue/number, page, if relevant); collection name; box number; folder number; Bern Dibner Library, NYU-Poly.
Copying Services
The archivist can make copies of certain materials for a fee, and in accordance with copyright restrictions. The archivist reserves the right to refuse reproduction of materials, if reproduction violates copyright or donor restrictions, or copying the item cannot be done in a manner that preserves the structural integrity of the item. The archivist will make these determinations on a case by case basis.
For more information about the archives contact: archives@library.poly.edu