Hello! I am an Archivist at Kennedy Library's Special Collections and Archives. I can help you navigate archives research and primary sources, from Kennedy Library's Special Collections and Archives to around the world and online.
Contact:
Special Collections and Archives
Kennedy Library, Cal Poly
Archives Instruction during the Kennedy Library Transformation Project
Special Collections and Archives welcomes instructors and students for instructional sessions with the archives. Archives instruction can be offered in several formats, including in-person, online, and hybrid, to serve the needs of instructors and students.
During the library renovation, we are offering instructional sessions in Building 60, Crandall Gym, and Building 26, Graphic Arts. We can also meet with you in your instructional space.
To schedule a session, contact Laura Sorvetti at lsorvett@calpoly.edu. If possible, please include your syllabus and any related assignment plans. Advance notice is appreciated, and we may not be able to arrange class instruction with less than 2 weeks' notice.
We'll discuss some of the following information to prepare for your class visit:
goals for your students' work with archives
course title and number
number of students in the class
possible dates and times for your class visit, in order of preference
Any accommodation needs we should take into account when planning and teaching archives sessions
Image: History 505 with Dr. Matt Hopper visit Special Collections and Archives, Winter 2023. Photo by Joe Johnston, Cal Poly.
Archives Instructional Sessions
Kennedy Library's Special Collections and Archives staff collaborate with instructors to offers a variety of services and resources for instructors desiring to introduce their students to archives and primary source research, individual or collaborative research projects, or teaching undergraduate and graduate courses that utilize our collections.
We offer instruction sessions tailored to the needs of the particular class. We are available to assist instructors in designing assignments best suited to their individual topics and goals.
Instructors are invited to explore topics with Special Collections staff to craft memorable, hands-on experiences and to consult our resources to learn about the scope of our collections and services.
Examples of Instructional Sessions
The collections are used in a wide variety of ways. Examples of instructional sessions include:
Introduction to archival research: get your students engaging with primary sources through active learning sessions with our unique materials