Search Our Collections

Search physical and digitized archival materials, rare books, audio, video, and more. Some historical materials may contain harmful content or language.

The reading room will be closed from 12/23/24-1/1/25. We will reopen at 10AM on 1/2/25. archives@iastate.edu

About us

Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) welcomes everyone to see and use the unique, rare, and historical materials in our collections. These materials, in various physical and digital formats, cover multiple subject areas, including agriculture and rural life, life sciences, engineering, technology, and Iowa State University history.

We collect and preserve these materials to enhance scholarship and to help everyone understand the past and its relationship to the present. Learn more about SCUA.

Contact us

We look forward to hearing from you with questions about our materials, your possible donation, or how we can collaborate.

Contact us

Request materials

Create an account in Aeon and place a request to help us prepare physical materials for your visit. View Aeon tutorials if you need help.

Request materials

Teaching support

Collaborate with SCUA staff to develop instruction in the archives or your classroom, integrating primary source literacy, archival research, or our materials into your course. Learn more about teaching with us.

Request instruction

Visit us

Special Collections Reading Room

The Special Collection and University Archives reading room is open to all researchers to use our materials. No appointment is required. Our reading room is located in room 403 on the 4th floor of Parks Library. Find out more about our hours and planning a visit. 

Address

Special Collections and University Archives
403 Parks Library
701 Morrill Road
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2102

Directions to SCUA

Collecting areas

Support SCUA

Express your interest in donating materials or gifts of cash and equivalents to advance the mission of Iowa State University through philanthropic giving.