Since 1945, Special Collections, Manuscripts & Archives (SCMA) has been dedicated to the collection, preservation, and provision of access to materials which document the history of the University, Ruston, Lincoln Parish, and North Louisiana. SCMA is also a repository of rare books and periodicals related to the literature, history, and culture of Louisiana and the South. We preserve and house over 500 manuscript collections consisting of personal and family papers, business and church records, diaries, maps, oral history tapes, photographs, paintings and sketches, and other similar materials.
Manuscript Collections
Finding Aids for the bulk of our manuscript collections have been digitized and can be searched in Prescott Memorial Library’s Digital Commons. Manuscript collections are not cataloged in the library’s online catalog. Additional access to digitized collections is available through the Louisiana Digital Library and through LibGuides linked on the Prescott Memorial Library webpage. Digitization of finding aids and manuscript collections continues as resources allow. SCMA encourages acess to collections via Reading Room appointments. Some of our major collections are:
- Camp Ruston
- Edgar Lancaster Collection
- F. Jay Taylor Collection
- State Forestry Archives
- The American Foreign Policy Center holdings
- William King Stubbs Architectural Archive
- Albino Hinojosa Artwork Collection
- Early American Imprints, Series 1, and Series 2
- Evander McNair Graham Family Papers, 1812-1965
- Israel Shreve Letters, 1771-1804
Louisiana Tech Museum
The Louisiana Tech Museum is also housed on the fourth floor. Established in 1982, the Museum contains over 10,000 artifacts originally belonging to the Caddo Tribe as well as archaeological, architectural, anthropological, and geological items. Since its integration with Prescott Memorial Library’s Special Collections, Manuscripts, and Archives in 2003, the Museum’s holdings have expanded to include: memorabilia of Louisiana Tech’s past presidents; sports teams’ equipment, uniforms, and gear; and items of whimsy, remembrance, and accomplishment. Items from the Museum remain on display in the gallery on a rotating basis.
University Archives
The University Archives contains the records, printed publications, photographs, theses and dissertations of:
- Louisiana Industrial Institute (1894-1921)
- Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (1921-1970)
- Louisiana Tech University (1970-Present)
In addition to theses and dissertations, the University Archives houses: all Louisiana Tech publications; academic and athletic event programs, photographs, and artifacts; as well as budgets, memoranda, policies, and portraits including:
- Tech Talk
- Lagniappe
- University Catalogs
- Student handbooks
- Student organizations
- Academic departmental papers
- Faculty papers
- Presidents’ papers
- Administrative offices’ records
The University Archive also holds many collections of Louisiana Tech memorabilia of significant historical and sentimental value. The Archives benefits greatly from donations of materials by our ever loyal alumni. Notable record series include:
- Coach Joe Aillet
- Lady Techsters
- Band of Pride
To schedule an appointment to view any of the SCMA materials or collections, please contact us at specialcollections@latech.edu or call 318.257.2287 to make an appointment. Walk-in visits are accepted, although access to materials may be restricted due to staffing levels, size of request, or for requests made after 4:00pm or within one hour of closing. Please note that SCMA limits its hours of operation. Please check our posted hours to avoid conflicts and denial of access.