Our digital collections are publicly accessible and consist of digital replicas of our physical archival holdings. These collections are constantly growing and currently include the Cal State LA student newspapers, audio recordings, and photographs. In addition to digitized collections, we provide information about current digital projects and initiatives in which we are actively collecting as well as free downloadable Zoom backgrounds.
Microdocumentaries and Oral Histories
Asian American Pacific Islander Oral History Collection
Our collaboration with Cal State LA's Asian/Asian American studies department began in the Fall of 2016. When Dr. Juily Phun’s class began recording its oral histories, Special Collections and Archives worked in the background preparing to collect these stories and preserve them for future generations. As the project has grown, so has our involvement in it; each class attends a workshop held by Special Collections and Archives faculty and staff to learn about the transcription and indexing process. By leveraging the power of students perspectives and commitment to the project, we are working together towards the goal of ensuring these stories are accessible to all.
Collection Call Number: MS 2024.001
Digital Testimonios
The Digital Testimonios Micro-Documentary Project highlights student-created Micro-documentaries that blend personalized Testimonios and Oral history interviews to reveal the life experiences of underrepresented voices from the local community. Emerging from Dr. Lani Cupchoy's courses in Chicana(o) Latina(o) Studies and History, the project introduces non-film majors to the craft of documentary-digital storytelling through oral history and public history with attention to using everyday available technology to transform testimonios into a compelling and emotionally engaging format. Students engaged as active agents in culturally relevant and community responsive pedagogy that humanizes narratives within the legacy of Counter-Stories traditions.
Collection Call Number: MS 2024.004
The Cal State LA Pandemic Diaries Project, organized by the University Library Special Collections and Archives, aims to create an archive of digital diaries that captures the narratives and experiences of our campus community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collection Call Number: MS 2024.006