Boston University Archives
The Boston University Archives preserve the institutional memory of Boston University from its founding in 1839 to the present day. We identify, collect, describe, preserve, and make available records documenting the evolution of the University—from its teaching and research advancements, academic achievements and administrative development to student life and community impact. We provide reference and instruction services to administrators, students, faculty, alumni, researchers, and the public.
Through our collections, we actively support the University's teaching, research, and learning mission by providing access to primary sources that enhance curriculum, foster scholarly inquiry, and deepen understanding of Boston University's history.
Collections & Strategic Focus
What We Collect
The University Archives collect materials in print, handwritten, audiovisual, and digital formats that document Boston University's institutional history. Our collecting priorities include:
- University Governance: Presidential papers, Board of Trustees records, strategic planning documents
- Academic Departments: Departmental records, interdisciplinary collaboration, strategic research areas
- Faculty Activities: Pedagogy, administrative roles, committee service, institutional contributions*
- Student Experience: Organizations, residential life, traditions, community experiences
- Broad Historical Representation & Community Documentation: Materials representing the full spectrum of BU experiences, from abolitionist origins to contemporary support centers like LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Center and Newbury Center
- Campus Development: Architectural drawings documenting evolution from Beacon Hill to the Charles River Campus
- Publications: The Beacon (1876-1951), Bostonia magazine, official communications
- Global Engagement: Documentation of BU's international identity
We prioritize materials supporting teaching and research while addressing documentary gaps in the University community.
To view University Archives collections online, visit the ArchivesSpace page.
*Please note that faculty research & publications, as well as student theses and dissertations, are preserved and accessible through OpenBU.
Materials outside our collecting priorities
While we aim to document BU's history broadly, some materials may be better suited to other repositories or present practical challenges for our collection. These include personal memorabilia without clear institutional connections, items requiring specialized preservation environments, materials already well represented in our holdings, active administrative records still needed for operations, or materials identified in the records retention table as having an official repository other than the University Archives.
We welcome conversations about any materials you believe might have historical value, as context often helps us find the most appropriate preservation solution.
Transferring Records & Donating Materials
For University Offices and Departments
Boston University defines an archival record as an “original University Record that has permanent or historic value, is inactive, and is not required to be retained in the office in which it originated or was received.” These are the materials that we preserve in the University Archives.
If you have archival records you believe should be transferred to the University Archives, or if you have questions about files and records you have in your office, please contact us before bringing or sending materials.
For Individuals Interested in Donating Archival Material
If you wish to donate material you believe are of historic importance to Boston University and would like to discuss a potential donation, please contact us before bringing or sending materials. This consultation allows us to ensure the materials fit our collecting scope, prepare proper documentation, and discuss any potential restrictions or concerns.
We are most interested in material that documents student life and experiences, and prioritize those materials that highlight students and student organizations that may have been previously underrepresented in or excluded from the archival record.
Preparing Materials for Transfer
Select the topic below for more information about preparing different material types for transfer.
Paper Records
Packing Instructions
Delivery
Electronic Records
Student Involvement with the University Archives
Students especially are encouraged to explore our collections for course projects, theses, and independent research. Whether investigating the history of your academic department, researching past student organizations similar to your own, or simply curious about BU traditions, the University Archives provides unique resources to connect you with BU's rich past.
We offer student archival assistant positions each semester and summer, as well as internships and field placement opportunities. Students interested in archival research can also apply for funding through BU's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Discover Global News Through PressReader
Your BU login unlocks PressReader - a premier collection of over 8,000 newspapers and magazines from 150 countries in 60+ languages. Every publication appears in full color with its original print layout, giving you an authentic reading experience from anywhere.
What You'll Find
Stay current with essential business and news sources including the Boston Globe, Fast Company, Inc., and Newsweek. Unwind with entertainment and culture coverage from Rolling Stone, Variety and more.
Need to reference an older story? Access at least 90 days of back issues for every publication, perfect for research or tracking developing stories.
Start Reading Today
Access PressReader anytime through BU Libraries. Questions? Contact us at pardstf@bu.edu.
Power Your Projects with Data from Pardee Library
Get ready to level up your research game! Pardee Library gives you access to a world of data - financial, economic, government, and marketing - so you can turn insights into impact.
Whether you’re tracking economic trends, researching markets, or exploring policy data, our databases and datasets give you the edge you need for your coursework and research.
Start Exploring:
Want even more? Browse all available options on our Business Databases: A-Z page.
Need Help Finding the Right Data?
Our team is here to help you locate and access the best sources for your topic - just email pardstf@bu.edu.
Open Access Week: Explore OpenBU
The BU Libraries are celebrating International Open Access Week (October 20-26) by highlighting library services that support the global reach of scholarship produced at BU and the variety of works available in BU’s digital institutional repository.
To support the university’s commitment to “disseminating the fruits of its research and scholarship as widely as possible” as outlined in its open access policy, the BU Libraries manages a digital institutional repository OpenBU (open.bu.edu), available to all members of the university community. As BU’s digital institutional repository, OpenBU houses thousands of articles, chapters, theses and dissertations, presentations, datasets, media, and more—all authored or co-authored by BU faculty, students, and staff. This repository enables BU researchers to share, disseminate, and preserve their scholarship, and makes their research more accessible.
Learn how to contribute your own work to OpenBU and share it with the world.
OpenBU currently holds 49,485 items, and since its launch, there have been 6,654,437 downloads and 8,047,005 visits. Its collections cover a wide array of topics, and materials from numerous BU colleges, schools, and departments can be found in the repository. The scope of the repository’s materials is captured in OpenBU’s most-viewed items of the past year:
- Abraham Lincoln and Christianity.
- The concept of the soul in Plato and in early Judeo-Christian thought
- The supernatural in the poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge
- Spinoza's concept of God's infinity.
- The effects of quicklime on the decomposition process in a tropical climate
- Evaluating the vitamin D content in sardines and mackerel
- Robert Frost: His treatment of nature and humanity
- Sexual Violence in Muslim Communities: Towards Awareness and Accountability
- Macroscopic observations of the effects of corrosive substances on bone and soft tissue when subjected to heating
- Tying the knot: a Feminist/Womanist guide to Muslim marriage in America
This list offers a small snapshot of the wealth of materials researchers can share and discover through OpenBU. This repository is a key program in the BU Libraries’ broad support of research, teaching, and learning at Boston University and it is part of BU Libraries’ deep commitment to facilitating greater access to research and knowledge.
Explore the benefits of this open access initiative by browsing OpenBU’s collections and contributing your own work. If you have questions about contributing to or exploring OpenBU, email open-help@bu.edu.
Top Business Publications You Can Access for Free
Ready to boost your grades and gain a better understanding of what’s happening in business? Stop fighting paywalls and sketchy sources. BU Libraries gives you free online access to the same trusted publications CEOs and investors read every day.
Find What You Need Fast:
Type the publication name in BU Libraries Search to access it instantly.
The Essential 5:
- The Wall Street Journal: The gold standard for finance and economics. If you only read one business source, make it this.
- Harvard Business Review: Practical management insights that professors love to cite, and you will too.
- The Economist: See how politics, tech, and economics connect globally. Great for case studies and interviews.
- Bloomberg Businessweek: Spot trends before they hit mainstream news. Perfect for class discussions.
- Financial Times: Deep international business coverage. Essential for anyone thinking globally.
Bonus Reads:
- The New York Times – Business Section: Accessible, award-winning coverage of the companies, policies, and people shaping today’s economy.
- MIT Sloan Management Review: Research-driven insights on leadership, innovation, and organizational change from top scholars and practitioners.
Why It Matters:
These publications help you:
- Find credible sources for your papers.
- Speak confidently about current business topics.
- Prep for interviews with real insights.
- Understand what’s happening beyond your textbooks.
- Go beyond surface-level summaries from Google or AI tools.
Start Now:
These benefits come with your tuition, so be sure to use them! Visit BU Libraries Search or email pardstf@bu.edu for help getting started. Your GPA will thank you.