Find Special Collections
Learn about archival collections and how to find these materials online, in the Libraries, and the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center.
BU ArchivesSpace
BU ArchivesSpace provides descriptive Finding Aids for unique collections housed across Boston University Libraries. Access historical documents, primary sources, or work with our archivists to expand your research
What is a Finding Aid?
According to the Library of Congress, a finding aid, also called a collection guide, is a description of an archival collection. Archival collections contain primary sources and other unique, original, or rare materials. The finding aid provides a hierarchical inventory of collection materials, as well as information about the origin of the collection.
BU Digital Library
BU Digital Library provides access to locally digitized historical and cultural heritage items from archives and special collections across Boston University.
OpenBU
OpenBU is our institutional repository that provides access to BU’s research and scholarship, including Theses and Dissertations.