Belk Library Archives and Special Collections

Mission Statement

The Archives and Special Collections Department of Belk Library serves Elon University and the Elon community by the preservation and administration of manuscript collections, special collections, and institutional materials. The primary purpose of the Archives and Special Collections Department is to collect, maintain, preserve, and make available institutional materials of administrative, fiscal, legal, and historical value. In addition, the Archives and Special Collections Department serves as a repository for manuscript collections, printed materials, photographs, artifacts, and other memorabilia that relate to the history of Elon University.

Belk Library entrance

Statement of Purpose

The Belk Library Archives and Special Collections Department is a place where the past and present unite. In the Archives and Special Collections, researchers will find various records of historical significance and value. The records and materials date back to the founding days of Elon College (1889) and continue into the present day. They also relate directly to the history of the College/University, the Town of Elon, and occasionally surrounding geographical areas. The materials found in the Archives and Special Collections not only offer a glimpse into the past, but also provide foundations and potential growth for the future.

The Archives and Special Collections exist primarily for the use by faculty, staff, and students of Elon University; however outside researchers are welcome. Serving as the official repository for the records of Elon University, the Archives preserves, collects, maintains, and makes available University records of administrative, fiscal, legal, and historical value. In addition, the Archives also collect brochures, pamphlets, booklets, articles, printed materials, and photographs that relate to alumni, faculty, staff, and students of Elon University.

The Special Collections of Belk Library collects, preserves, maintains, and makes available a variety of collections and their materials. Some of the Special Collections include: Elon Authors Collection; Hubert McLendon Civil War Collection; Johnson Signed Book Collection; Church History Collection (UCC); Bible Collection; Jane Belk Moncure Children’s Book Collection; and Williams-Honeycutt Rare Book Collection. The Belk Library Archives and Special Collections share a common goal in upholding the historical preservation and knowledge of the unique holdings within a variety of collections.

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