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Special Collections: About

In With the Old! What's "new" in Special Collections

Two workers in bonnets bending over in field.

Evans Family Photographs, about 1895 to 1960

The Evans Family owned a large dairy farm in Evesham Township. They were also part-owners of the Evans and Wills Inc. cranberry and blueberry farming company. This photograph collection includes early images of cranberry and dairy farming, as well as farm life and farm laborers.

Circa 1860 hand-drawn map of Atsion Furnace lands.

Possibly drawn by surveyor Samuel Clement. 

Student Senate Records

The Student Senate first met in 1982. This collection contains their minutes, constitutions, and newsletters up to the present day. 

Program cover, Conference on Atlantic City, Touris

Conference on Atlantic City, Tourism and Social Change Collection, May 1982

Selected papers from the May 1982 conference at Stockton. 

Black and white photograph of 4 men standing in front of cars and a building, Mississippi 1966.

James Cooper Papers, 1963-1966

James Cooper, an Atlantic City lawyer, went to Mississippi in 1966 to defend clients as part of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law. This collection contains his notes, photographs, and materials collected from his trip. 

Special Collections, University Archives, and Government Documents

The Richard E. Bjork Library collects, organizes, preserves, and provides access to special collections, including the Stockton University Archives and unique materials about the general history and culture of southern New Jersey. These are available in the Reading Room, by appointment. 

The Library is also an official Federal Depository for government documents. Digital Collections provides open, online access to select publications and historical documents, unique and specialized collections, and the intellectual and artistic work of the Stockton community.

Our Mission:

  • To collect, organize, and preserve materials of enduring intellectual value in all formats created by administrators, alumni, benefactors, donors, faculty, staff, and students of Stockton.
  • To acquire, through donation or purchase, first or early editions of literary works, books written by New Jersey authors, material about the Stockton institution (past and present), books by and about people affiliated with the University, local, regional, and state history, and materials on the Pinelands.
  • To support research, teaching, and the intellectual integrity of Stockton publications by making them available and encouraging the use of archival collections by the University community and the general public.
  • To promote knowledge and understanding of the history, student life, academic goals, and vision of Stockton University.
  • Encourage public awareness and the importance of preserving materials relevant to Stockton University and the surrounding community.

Using Special Collections

Hours: *by appointment only* Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Exceptions are welcomed if arranged in advance - email or call

Most materials in Archives and Special Collections are open for use by the general public, Stockton University faculty, students, and alumni. To properly ensure the long­-term accessibility and preservation of these collections, they do not circulate and must be used by researchers in a designated space.

During the library renovation, tables will be designated in the C/D Atrium for use. Researchers must follow these best practices:

  • Make an appointment in advance, requesting the materials you wish to see. If you are unsure, please indicate the topic you are researching or schedule a research consultation with the Special Collections Librarian.
  • Food and drink are not allowed at the Special Collections tables.
  • Please use a pencil or your computer to take any notes. Gloves are provided for you to use for photograph collections.
  • Do not mark or crease any of the items or place anything on top of them (i.e. your computer, notebook, elbows).
  • Maintain folders and papers in the order in which you found them. Bookmarks are provided to help with this. 
  • Photographs and scans of materials for personal use are allowed. 
  • If you need to step away while you are looking at the materials, please inform a library employee at the desk.
  • Please return materials all materials to the cart when finished and let a library employee know you are finished and when you plan to visit again to continue your research.     

Please ask a library employee if you have any questions!

Holdings

Special Collections contain a wide range of formats including printed books, manuscripts, pamphlets, magazines, maps, photographs, audio/visual recordings, and other formats that support the Library's mission to serve the needs of the Stockton community, students, and faculty.

Gifts in many areas are sought and considered to enhance the research and intellectual value of our holdings. In addition, we actively seek new initiatives and acquire new collections in anticipation of, or in response to, changing academic needs and interests. We are also committed to developing unique and distinctive collections in areas where we have little coverage and to reflect the diversity in Stockton and local communities. 

Local History: Books, serials, pamphlets, and manuscripts about the history of Stockton, Atlantic City and County, and the state of New Jersey.

New Jersey History: Biographical, political, and regional histories from New Jersey.

Authors Affiliated with Stockton: Journal articles, books, and reviews written or edited by Stockton alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and students.

Early Printing and Local Authors: Works published in southern New Jersey or written by local authors.