Finding Aid Database

The Finding Aid Database provides access to a growing number of finding aids for archival and manuscript collections at San Diego State University's Special Collections & University Archives. Finding aids are tools created by archivists to describe unpublished primary sources. Archival holdings can include a variety of materials such as correspondence, diaries, maps, university records, organizational records, photographs, and audio recordings. Researchers should note that this site contains descriptions of collections rather than electronic versions of the individual items within these collections. Digitized holdings are available via the Library's Luna Database.

The collections in the Finding Aid Database are only a portion of the materials held by Special Collections & University Archives, and additional collections are added on a continuing basis. For each collection described in the database, there is a summary description in the PAC. For further information about any collection, please contact the Special Collections reference librarians via our online form, or via email at scref@library.sdsu.edu.

Tips for Searching & Browsing

The "Search" function searches all finding aid content, including the box lists. By using the "Browse" functions across the top of each page, researchers may quickly view an alphabetical listing of all the collections available through the database. Entire finding aids may be viewed in printer-ready format.

Search by Keyword

The search engine looks for records containing every word you submit.

Search By Phrase

Use double quotes around your search query. (e.g., "San Diego State University")

Search by Manuscript Number

If you know the Manuscript Number for the collection you want, you can search with it. (e.g., 'MS-0025' returns the Hotel del Coronado Records.)

Narrow Your Search Results

Use a minus sign before a term you want to omit from your results. (e.g., 'bass -fish' finds bass guitars but not bass fishing.)