George Sutherland Archives

Physical Collections

Digital Collections

Archives Mission

The George Sutherland Archives is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and providing access to materials that document the history and development of Utah Valley University.

Using the Archives

Archives materials must be used in the archives reading room, located in FL 302a. The reading room is available only during archives hours when archives staff are present. Research appointments are encouraged as staff schedules may not always allow walk-ins to be accommodated immediately.

Reading Room Use:

Before materials can be accessed, a temporary visitor's pass will be checked out to the patron by the archives staff. Patrons with accounts that don't have an attached photograph will need to present a current UVU or government issued photo ID.
New Library patrons will need to register for community patron accounts at the 1st floor circulation desk. More information can be found here: Checking Out Materials.
Purses, backpacks, briefcases, large coats, etc., must be stored in provided lockers.
Food and drink are not permitted in the reading room.
Phones, digital cameras, and laptops are permitted in the archives, provided they are not disruptive or damaging to materials.
The maximum capacity of the reading room is 9 researchers. The volume of materials permitted to be used at once will be determined at the discretion of the archives staff.
Visitor passes must be checked back in before exiting the archives.

Use of Archival Materials:

The archives storage area is closed to patrons, and materials must only be retrieved and re-shelved by archives staff.
Only pencils may be used for note-taking; pens, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, etc., are not permitted in reading room. Pencils, note paper, and archival bookmarks are available for use in the reading room.
Patrons must adhere to all material handling and use instructions from archives staff.
Archival materials must not be folded, written on, stapled, taped, torn, rolled, or otherwise marred by researchers.
Limited photocopies or scans are available upon request, and must be performed by archives staff. Digital photography is permitted, provided it does not damage archival materials.
Some fragile or restricted materials may be available for use only as a facsimile or redacted facsimile.
All materials must be returned to their enclosures in the order and condition they were found.

Collection Scope

The George Sutherland Archives at Utah Valley University collects, preserves, and provides access to materials that document the development Utah Valley University and the diverse contributions of its community. Our collections encompass a wide range of formats, including but not limited to:

Institutional Records: Documents, reports, minutes, and correspondence related to the governance, administration, and activities of UVU, its predecessor institutions, and affiliated organizations.
Personal Papers: Manuscripts, correspondence, diaries, and photographs that shed light on the lives, experiences, and contributions of individuals linked to UVU, such as faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members.
Oral Histories: Recorded interviews with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members that capture stories and experiences associated with UVU, or topics aligned with UVU's curriculum.
Publications: Journals, newsletters, magazines, newspapers, yearbooks, and other printed materials produced by or about UVU and its community.
Audiovisual Materials: Films, videos, sound recordings, and digital media capturing events, performances, lectures, and other activities relevant to UVU's history and culture.
Photographic Collections: Prints, negatives, slides, and digital images documenting campus architecture, events, student life, and community engagement over time.
Artifacts and Memorabilia: Objects, memorabilia, and ephemera related to UVU's history, traditions, and identity, including awards, clothing, banners, and souvenirs.
Digital and Electronic Records: Websites, social media content, emails, databases, and other born-digital materials reflecting UVU's online presence and activities.

The archives prioritizes materials that align with UVU's core values, with particular emphasis on:

Materials that represent perspectives, voices, and experiences within the UVU community, including underrepresented groups and marginalized populations.
Records that document significant milestones, events, achievements, and innovations in UVU's history, as well as its evolving role in higher education and society.
Materials authored by UVU faculty, whether published or unpublished, along with works created by students or staff at UVU.
Collections that enhance public understanding and appreciation of UVU's heritage, mission, and impact on the local community, region, and beyond.

The George Sutherland Archives welcomes donations and collaborations with individuals, organizations, and departments both within and outside of UVU to expand and enrich our collections in service of our mission to safeguard and celebrate the university's legacy for present and future generations.

Externally donated materials must demonstrate either a strong affiliation with UVU or provide significant educational/research value for students, faculty, or staff.

Exclusions: The George Sutherland Archives does not collect materials that fall outside its scope or duplicate existing holdings unless they offer significant additional value. Exclusions include:

Personal papers and materials unrelated to the university's mission and activities.
Materials that pose a risk to individual privacy, confidentiality, or legal restrictions.
Deteriorating materials that pose significant preservation challenges, especially those that put other materials at risk.
Routine administrative records with no long-term value or significance.
Artifacts and objects not suitable for archival preservation.
Published books, including rare books, not authored by UVU personnel, or related to UVU’s development.

The Sutherland Archives reserves the right to reject donations, or parts of donations, for any reason deemed appropriate by Archives Staff.

Access and Use: The George Sutherland Archives promotes access to its collections in accordance with the principles of open access, intellectual freedom, and privacy. Materials are made available for research, teaching, and public engagement while respecting legal and ethical considerations, including copyright and donor restrictions. Access may be subject to specific protocols and procedures established by the Sutherland Archives.