This timeline of Cal Poly history created by the archives is helpful for general context of Cal Poly's history through the years.
You can search across all Kennedy Library holdings (published books, articles, senior projects, and masters theses) at this link: onesearch.calpoly.edu
NEW! Student research on Cal Poly History: http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cphistory/
Selected Bibliography of historical research on Cal Poly
Cal Poly: The First Hundred Years. San Luis Obispo: Robert E. Kennedy Library, 2001.
Print copies: LD729.6.S5 C344 2001
Kennedy, Robert E. Learn by Doing: Memoirs of a University President: A Personal Journey with the Seventh President of California Polytechnic State University. San Luis Obispo: California Polytechnic State University, 2001.
Print Copy in library: LD729.6.S5 K42 2001
Internet access full text: https://archives.calstate.edu/concern/archives/pz50h1326
Kennedy, Robert E. The Most Useful and Popular University: A personal journey through the 100 year history of the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Unpublished manuscript, 1995.
Print Copy in library: LD729.6.S5 K44 1995