Special Collections & University Archives: FAQs

Special Collections & Archives is here to help you learn more about the history and culture of the lower Rio Grande Valley region. Our special collections focus on the heritage of deep south Texas and northeast Mexico, as well as those of state, national, and international interest. 

• UTRGV's Special Collections collect and make accessible to researchers secondary source (books and publications) and primary (original) source materials such as correspondence, business files, maps, and photographs from local people and businesses.
• Our collections include over 25,000 books, 450+ Chicano serials, 1100+ maps, several local newspapers and newsletters, and an estimated one million archival items across our two locations in Brownsville and Edinburg.
• We are also the repository for the University and its legacy institutions, dating back to 1926 in Brownsville and 1927 in Edinburg.
• Visit our website for more information on our department's mission, services, and collections.

Special Collections & Archives has reading rooms in Brownsville and Edinburg.

Please contact us for information on campus visits: archives@utrgv.edu

University Library, Brownsville (BLIBR 2.202)
One West University Boulevard
Brownsville, Texas 78520
(956) 882-7968

University Library, Edinburg (ELIBR 4.100)
1201 W University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78539
(956) 665-2726

• UTRGV students and faculty are welcome to use our reading rooms for Quiet Study (M–F, 8AM–5PM).
• Everyone is welcome to submit research inquiries online via: https://utrgv.libwizard.com/f/research_request
• Campus research visits are conducted by appointment only. All researchers are encouraged to schedule research visits at one to two weeks in advance.
• Our items are unique and most cannot be replaced if damaged, lost, or stolen. Materials must be used in the reading room only, but scanning of materials may be available upon request.
• Books and materials are generally not transferred between campuses.

YES! Special Collections & University Archives make materials available online via our ScholarWorks Institutional Repository. Resources on these platforms can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection, and are keyword searchable.

The Library does not own the copyright in much of the material in its collection and is therefore unable to grant copyright permission to publish those items. It is the researcher's responsibility to determine copyright and other possible restrictions on reuse (e.g. publicity, privacy, moral rights) and to obtain proper permission when publishing or distributing materials found in these collections. Click here for more information on digital collections rights and use. 

The UTRGV Digital Collections help fulfill UTRGV's educational mission. Materials found in these collections are either in the public domain, are made available by permission, or are permitted by an exception such as fair use. Although these materials are publicly accessible, some restrictions on further use may still apply. Permitted uses are limited to research, educational, and scholarly purposes.

If you have any information about an item you've seen in our digital collections, or if you are the copyright owner and believe your work is not properly attributed or is used without proper authorization, please let us know. Send your inquiries to archives@utrgv.edu including your contact information and a link the relevant content.

UTRGV University Library Special Collections and Archives does not accept unsolicited donations of books, newspapers, magazines, or materials.

Potential donors may wish to consider a monetary donation to the library, or another area of greatest need.

Members of the Rio Grande Valley community may alternatively consider donating to one of the following organizations.

• Museum of South Texas History
• Mission Historical Museum
• Weslaco Museum
• Historic Brownsville Museum
• International Museum of Art and Science

Good news! You can access the course catalogs from our legacy institutions online: https://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/academics/utb-utpa-legacy-students/legacy-catalogs/index.htm

UTB/TSC graduate programs and courses as well UTPA undergraduate and graduate programs and courses are included on their respective catalog.These records have been digitized as PDFs making it easy to search for specific degree programs and courses.

Please submit requests for catalog information other than what is available online via our Online Research Request form.

Search ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global for recent dissertations and theses. If you are off campus, then you may need to login using your UTRGV credentials to access this online database.

Search our Library Catalog for older dissertations and theses by title, author or key word. Dissertations and theses are located on the 2nd floor of the libraries in Brownsville and Edinburg. Titles archived with Special Collections & Archives are on permanent reserve and cannot be checked out.

Explore the links below:

• Department Website
• Library Catalog
• Special Collections
• Digital Collections
• Theses & Dissertations
• LRGV Databases
• Border Studies Archive

Maximize your time and effort. Let our staff assist you with finding and accessing resources online.