University Archives & Special Collections (UASC)

Woodward Library's University Archives collects, preserves, and houses materials that have significance to Austin Peay State University (APSU) and the predecessor insitutions on its site. The Special Collections includes materials of value to the local community, as well as those that need special care for their protection and preservation because of the difficulty of replacing them or their age, fragility, format, or uniqueness.

Policy

Woodward Library complies with Austin Peay State University Policy Number 4:017 regarding records retention and disposal.

In order to help protect and preserve its unique physical materials, the UASC room's temperature and humidity are monitored and controlled, and access is restricted. The items are maintained in secure stacks and do not circulate. APSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community memebrs are welcome to view the collection when accompanied by a Library staff member.

Guidelines

The University Archives collects records and maintains materials of permanat historical value regarding the intellectual, cultural, and social life at APSU such as yearbooks, newsletters and newpapers, University histories, and promotinal materials like programs, fliers, and posters. Administrative documents included in records collection are policy documents, committee meeting minutes, course syllabi, and grand proposal reports. A collection of published books written by past and present Austin Peay faculty, students, and administrators is also maintained, as are University field studies, research reports, theses, and dissertations. Other papers are included on a case-by-case basis.

The focus of the Special Collections is rare and original materials dealing with Tennessee and Southern Middle Kentucky, especially Clarksville and the surrounding area, including Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

The UASC collects materials regardless of format including, but not limited to, manuscripts, sound recording, photographs, films, rare books, and digital records.

Related Information

ASPIRE: Archive for Scholarship, Publication, Innovation, and Research Experience is a digital showcase of the scholarly and creative output of the Austin Peay State University community.

Contact

Updated March 2025