Explore Our Unique Holdings
Explore the history of CSUSM and the surrounding region. Special Collections houses rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and institutional archives that support research and learning. Our collections document unique stories, local industries, and historical records. Select a collection below to learn more, or contact us to arrange a visit or research consultation.
Bonnie Biggs Papers
Materials related to Dr. Lotesee Patterson (Comanche); tribal libraries; AILA; CSUSM's Tribal Liaison, Native Advisory Council, California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center, Tukwut mascot, sculpture, and courtyard
Brewchive®
The Brewchive® is an archive of San Diego county's brewing activity from personal and business aspects primarily from the 1980s and on. The Brewchive® holds materials from individuals, breweries, organizations, and affiliated businesses involved primarily with beer, but also cider, mead, kombucha and distilled spirits.
Celebrator Beer News publications
Complete print archive of Celebrator Beer News brewspaper, 1988-2018.
Cross-Cultural Center Records
Operational and programmatic records related to CSUSM's Cross-Cultural Center and its predecessor, Multicultural Programs.
Dan Rios Papers
The Dan Rios papers are approximately 222.31 linear ft. of photograph negatives, photographic prints, and correspondence created by Rios, Chief Photographer, Escondido Times-Advocate and North County Times from 1968-2001. The papers provide a visual documentation of the San Diego geographic region with a strong emphasis on North County and the communities, places, and events that helped shape its culture and history
Government Documents
The University Library's government documents are stewarded by Special Collections. Most of our government documents are cataloged and can be found via the Library's OneSearch discovery tool.
Henry Rodriguez Collection
Materials related to the life of Henry Rodriguez (Luiseño), California Indians, the San Luis Rey River water settlement, and the preservation of Luiseño cultural heritage.
Oral History
Oral histories are one-time, never-to-be repeated guided interviews with a specific line of inquiry, usually the narrator's participation in an event, movement, or profession. They can also be biographical in nature. Oral histories are rich primary sources that give first-hand accounts, with reflection, from the interviewee.
Paul Ecke III Ranch and Family Papers
The Ecke collection consists primarily of the business and administrative records documenting the operations, sales, strategic planning, correspondence and marketing efforts of The Paul Ecke Ranch, Inc., from its origin in the early 1900s to its eventual sale to the Dutch-based Agribio Group in 2012. Most records reflect business operations from 1923 (when the business moved from Los Angeles to Encinitas, CA) to 2012, and cover business operations across the United States, as well as in Europe, Asia and South America.
ScholarWorks
ScholarWorks is the CSU-wide database of scholarly research, publications, data sets, and more, and Special Collections' Scholarly Communications subunit manages CSUSM submissions to the database. Hosted by the Chancellor's Office, it is also where the electronic theses, graduate projects, and dissertations are held.
Special Collections Serials
Newspapers, newsletters, magazines, and other regularly and irregularly published titles relevant to North San Diego County and its constituent communities.
Together-Apart: The COVID-19 Community Memory Archive
Created by the CSUSM University Library in response to the arrival of the COVID-19 disease in California and its related societal impacts 2020-2022.
University Archives
The University Archives contain materials relevant to California State University San Marcos from its origin in 1989 through the present day. Materials include, but are not limited to, papers, colloquia, maps, photographs, audiovisual recordings, realia, and legal documentation regarding the founding and growth of the 20th CSU.
West Coaster Records
Print and digital archive of the West Coaster: San Diego Beverage News and its sister publications.