The private records acquired for the Clara Thomas Archives have traditionally reflected the broad subject areas that support research and teaching of faculty and the programs of study offered by York University. Amendments to this policy, reflected in a new acquisition policy, illustrate a shift in the priorities from subject-based collecting to a documentation strategy approach to continue our support of teaching, learning and research at the university. A documentation strategy for the Clara Thomas Archives emphasizes the importance of collecting records that illustrate the full spectrum of work and activities conducted by York University faculty, students, staff, alumni, and adjacent communities.
Clara Thomas Archives & Special Collections Acquisition Moratorium
The Clara Thomas Archives and Special Collections has a moratorium in place for private records acquisitions until January 2026. This means that archivists are not currently acquiring new collections or accepting accruals to existing collections as the archives are at capacity with our on-site storage space and with existing processing commitments. As the potential for external storage partnerships are being explored, the department’s focus turns to a significant processing backlog that has accrued as an externality of the pandemic.
We encourage existing donors and potential donors to contact Joseph Hafner, Dean of Libraries at hafnerj@yorku.ca and Anna St.Onge, interim head of Archives & Special Collections at astonge@yorku.ca with any questions or concerns. The department is keeping track of communications and maintaining a priority list of donors seeking to deposit materials. The department will revisit the status of the acquisitions moratorium in January 2026 and should it be lifted, will follow up the individuals and/or organizations on their priority list. Departmental staff are available for consultations during our public office hours, which can be booked online.
Special Collections
In the case of bound and published materials for donation to Special Collections, the department is facing storage constraints. Potential donors are asked to prepare an inventory of the material they wish to donate for preliminary review. Archivists may determine that a site visit is required to conduct a preliminary assessment of a library being considered for donation.