Donating Materials
Our Mission
The Loyola Univesity Chicago Archives and Special Collections serves as the University's institutional memory by collecting, preserving, and making accessible the history of Loyola University Chicago. In addition, the department serves as an educational resource for the Loyola community and beyond by providing unique collections for study and teaching in a number of areas including rare books, Chicago history, Catholic history, 20th century Business, Jesuit educators, and politics.
Established in 1928, the University Archives serves as the institutional memory of Loyola University Chicago. Serving all Loyola campuses, the University Archives collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to University records of enduring historical, legal, and administrative value. These records document how Loyola fulfills its mission and reflect the accomplishments that have given Loyola University Chicago its unique identity.
University records are subject to a 20 year embargo according to our University Records Confidentiality Policy
Reports, minutes, agendas, correspondence, syllabi, brochures, flyers, publications, photographs, film, and video of events and people, and administrative files are among the types of records that must be transferred to the University Archives for preservation.
Both analog (physical) and digital records are acepted.
For more specific information on what records to transfer to the University Archives and when, consult this list: Records to transfer.
For information on the University's records management program, consult the 2012 Records Retention Policy.
The University Archives does not accept the following types of records:
- transcripts and other student records
- applications
- health records and other case files
- ProCard receipts
Please contact the University Archivist at kyoung3@luc.edu with any questions.
Established in 1980, the Loyola Special Collections serves as an educational resource for the Loyola community and beyond by providing unique collections in the areas of Chicago history, Catholic history, 20th century American business, satire and caricature, Edward Gorey, Jesuit educators, politics, entertainment, and Loyola alumni, faculty, and staff, among others. Collections sometimes cover multiple collecting areas. Please see below for information on donating your papers to the Loyola Special Collections.
20th century American business
Featuring the papers of Samuel Insull, the papers of people who worked for Insull, and the records of some of Insull's companies; the Dorr E. Felt collection; the papers of the Cuneo Family and records of their businesses; and papers of Loyola faculty members from the Quinlan School of Business, such as Dr. George Kaufmann. This is one of the oldest collecting areas for the department.
Chicago History
Including the records of Chicago businesses, organizations, and educators; the papers of individuals and families from Chicago; the Irish Immigrants to Chicago oral history collection; the Latinos in Chicago oral history collection; the Chicago Public School Teachers oral history collection; and the Circuit Court of Cook County Retired Judges oral history collection.
Catholic History
Including the Catholic Church Extension Society records; SERRA International records; the Robert Broderick papers; CISCA collection; St. Ignatius Parish collection; Catholic Instruction League records; and the St. Bernard Hospital records.
Politics
Featuring the papers of former United States Congressmen Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL) and Henry J. Hyde (R-IL), this collecting area also includes the Halstead Collection, the Scott Stantis papers, and the Circuit Court of Cook County Retired Judges Oral History collection.
Satire and Caricature
Centered around the Michalak Collection, a collection of 19th century British social and political satirical broadsides and books and the Edward Gorey collection.
Jesuits
Contains the papers of Jesuits who were on faculty at Loyola University Chicago as well as Jesuits who had a connection to Loyola.
Entertainment
Featuring the Stage Bill collection; Anderson Playbill collection; Autograph Collection; Jack Mulqueen papers; and the Sheet Music Collection.
Philosophy
Centered around the Heidegger collection.
Loyola Faculty
Featuring the papers of faculty members from the Colleges and Schools at Loyola. Included in the collection are the papers of Francis L. Filas, S.J.; Francis X. Grollig, S.J.; Raymond V. Schoder, S.J.; Suzanne S. Gossett; Imogene King; and Catherine Jarrott.
Loyola Alumni
Featuring the papers of Loyola alumni. Among the collections are the papers of Helmuth Fuchs; George Drury; Arthur Kellner; Anna Grace McHenry-McGrath; and Edward Kelly.
Loyola Staff
Featuring the papers of long-time staff members such as Alvo E. Albini; Thomas J. Dyba; and Thomas J. Bryant, S.J.
Information about donating your papers to the Loyola Special Collections can be found at Donating Your Papers.
Both analog (physical) and digital records are accepted.
Underrepresented in the University Archives but an essential part of Loyola history, the records of student organizations document the programs, activities, and events that comprise student life at Loyola University Chicago. As the official historical repository of Loyola, the University Archives preserves and makes accessible student organization records for future Ramblers, historians, and others interested in student life at Loyola.
Charters, By-laws, mission statements, reports, meeting minutes and agendas, newsletters, scrapbooks, correspondence, publications, photographs, videos, flyers, and brochures are among the types of student organization records accepted by the University Archives
Both analog and digital records are accepted.
This list is not all-inclusive so please contact the University Archives with any questions.
For further information on what student organziation records the University Archives collects, please see Student Organization Records in the University Archives. Please contact the University Archivist at kyoung3@luc.edu with any questions.
One of the notable collections at the Loyola Archives and Special Collections is the Congressional Archives, which holds the Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL) papers and the Henry J. Hyde (R-IL) papers. Documenting the second half of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries, these collections provide an insight into the work of the United States House of Representatives. Subjects found in the collections include Ways and Means, taxation, international affairs, and judiciary.
Finding aids for these collections are located on the A to Z list for Special Collections.
Please use the Ask the Archivist form to inquire about the collections, arrange an appointment, or inquiry about making an addition to the collections.
The Loyola Rare Book Collection serves as an educational resource for the Loyola community and beyond by providing unique rare books and manuscripts in a number of areas including religion, philosophy, literature, history, geography, drama, the sciences, political science, and law. The collection currently holds approximately 21,000 volumes with over 15 languages represented, including a small collection of incundables and Medieval manuscript leaves.
- Jesuitica (works by or about Jesuits, especially anti-Jesuit literature)
- American History
- British History
- American literature, especially women authors, authors of Color, Indigenous authors, and travel logs
- British literature, especially women authors, authors of Color, and travel logs
- History of Medicine
- History of the Book
- Caricature/Satire/Humor, especially works illustrated or by George Cruikshank, Robert Cruikshank, John Leed, Phiz, and other illustrators
- Jesuitica (works by or about Jesuits)
- American history to 1900
- British history to 1900
- Christianity, with an emphasis on Roman Catholicism
- Philosophy, with an emphasis on Western Philosophy
- Drama, especially English drama from 1600 to 1820
- English Literature, especially 19th century
- American Literature
- History of Medicine
- History of the Book
- Victorian travel logs
- Latin
- English
- French
- Spanish
- German
- Italian
- Portuguese
- Chinese
- Japanese
- Greek
- Dutch
- Polish
- Native American languages
- Gaelic
- Hebrew
- Arabic
Our Mission
The Loyola Univesity Chicago Archives and Special Collections serves as the University's institutional memory by collecting, preserving, and making accessible the history of Loyola University Chicago. In addition, the department serves as an educational resource for the Loyola community and beyond by providing unique collections for study and teaching in a number of areas including rare books, Chicago history, Catholic history, 20th century Business, Jesuit educators, and politics.