Resources and Guides

Research and Resource Guides

Archiving Your Story

This collection of information guides and resources was compiled by the University of Colorado Boulder Libraries' Rare and Distinctive Collections and Preservation sections to held you care for and manage your own historical collections at home. 

Archival Sources for Media Production

This guide provides a brief introduction to finding and accessing archival resources for re-use in media production - including photographs and images, audio recordings, film and video clips. 

Artists' Books and the Book Arts Genre

A general introduction to the book arts genre with a variety of links to useful resources and prominent book artists' websites.

Bookbinding Structures

An introductory guide to bookbinding, including resources and instructional videos showing three different bookbinding techniques.

The Cockerell Films

A guide to more than 40 digitized films from the T.D.A. Cockerell Collection, largely nature films made between 1920 and 1950.

Introduction to Archival Research

This resource offers guidance on how to search, access, and understand archives. Use the tabs above or links below to find information, videos, and suggested resources for questions common to both new and experienced archives users. 

Rare and Distinctive Collections Course Guides

ENVS 3020 - Advanced Writing in Environmental Studies (Vodehnal)

This library guide for ENVS 3020: Writing in Environmental Studies focuses on providing digital access to physical materials held in the CU Boulder Libraries. In the Libraries' Rare and Distinctive Collections (Special Collections, Archives, Government Information Library, and Map Library) there are many documents that highlight scientific and environmental communication over the centuries. Such materials include photographs and photography books, film, government documents, pamphlets, magazines, books, and scrapbooks.

HIST 1061 - The Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome (Jobin)

This guide provides an introduction to The Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome (HIST 1061), through the lens of papyri, manuscripts, and printed works held in Special Collections, Rare and Distinctive Collections, University of Colorado Boulder Libraries. It also includes digitized copies of images related to our collection but held by the British Library, Cambridge University, and elsewhere.

HIST 2170 - History of Christianity (Jobin)

This guide provides an introduction to The History of Christianity (HIST 2170), through the lens manuscripts and early printed works held in Special Collections, Rare and Distinctive Collections, University of Colorado Boulder Libraries.

JPNS 3881 - Environment, Nature, and Disaster in Japanese Literature and Culture (Brown)

This library guide for JPNS 3881: Environment, Nature, and Disaster in Japanese Literature and Culture focuses on providing digital access to physical materials held in the CU Boulder Libraries. In Special Collections, there are many documents that highlight Japan and its relationship with the environment over the centuries. Such documents include rare publications and first editions of historical books on Japan, published and unpublished photographs of natural disasters, hand-colored maps, and artistic pieces.

RLST 2600: Judaism, Christianity and Islam (Adams)

A guide with videos and links to help direct students to find primary sources on the history of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, particularly local sources held at the CU Boulder Libraries.

WRTG 3030 - Radical Science Writing (Long) - The History of Western Science

This library guide for WRTG 3030: Radical Science Writing focuses on providing an introduction to the history of western science using materials that can be found in the CU Boulder Libraries. These include rare publications and first editions of books in the history of science, unpublished documents (such as letters) relating to local science, and US government publications.