Primary contact
Northern B.C. Archives & Special Collections, Geoffrey R. Weller Library, University of Northern British Columbia 3333 University Way
Prince George, British Columbia
CA V2N 4Z9
Identity area
Identifier
- UNBC - NBCA
Authorized form of name
Northern BC Archives & Special Collections
Parallel form(s) of name
- NBCA
- Northern BC Archives
- Northern B.C. Archives
Other form(s) of name
Type
- Educational
- Community
Contact area
Erica Hernandez-Read
Primary contact
Type
Address
Street address
Northern B.C. Archives & Special Collections, Geoffrey R. Weller Library, University of Northern British Columbia 3333 University Way
Locality
Prince George
Region
British Columbia
Country name
Canada
Postal code
V2N 4Z9
Telephone
250-960-6603 / 6602
Fax
250-960-6610
archives@unbc.ca
Note
Description area
History
In February 1992 informal discussions began regarding the establishment of an archives to preserve the University's history. In 1996 a committee drafted "The Plan for a UNBC Archives" that expanded on these ideas and outlined the need to establish an archives of Northern British Columbia that would preserve, acquire and provide access to public and private records related to the history and culture of Northern BC. Hence, the position of Archivist was created, and the Northern BC Archives was officially opened in November 2000. The Archives also houses rare book collections and maintains the University's artworks and artifact collections.
Geographical and cultural context
Northern British Columbia: north to south from the Yukon border to Williams Lake; and east to west from the Alberta border to Haida Gwaii.
Mandates/Sources of authority
The mandate of the NBCA is two fold: to serve the historical, administrative, legal and teaching needs of the University of Northern British Columbia; and to acquire, preserve and provide access to materials which document the history and culture of Northern British Columbia.
Administrative structure
The Northern B.C. Archives is an administrative unit of the Geoffrey R. Weller Library within the University of Northern British Columbia.
Records management and collecting policies
Buildings
The Northern B.C. Archives is located on the 4th floor of the Geoffrey R. Weller Library building on the Prince George campus of the University of Northern British Columbia.
Holdings
• 2,500+ linear metres Archival Textual Material;
• 30,000+ Photographic Images;
• 300+ Sound and Moving Image Recordings;
• 6,000+ Rare Books;
• 260+ Artworks in the University Artworks Collection.
Finding aids, guides and publications
Finding aids and subject guides are available.
Access area
Opening times
Monday to Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm; closed weekends and statutory holidays.
Access conditions and requirements
Personal or academic use of the historic photographs, audio and video materials is welcomed under the standard fair use and educational use clauses of Canadian Copyright Law. Commercial use is, however, forbidden without the express permission of the copyright holder. For information on obtaining written permission from the copyright holder, please contact the UNBC Archives.
Accessibility
The Northern BC Archives is a fully wheelchair accessible facility with elevator service from the Library's main floor.
Services area
Research services
The Archives does not conduct in-depth research into holdings on behalf of the client. The Archives will, however, assist clients in developing their queries; identifying holdings that meet their requirements; and will conduct retrievals of all accessible materials on their behalf.
Reproduction services
The Northern BC Archives can provide photocopies of textual materials (rare books and special collections, archival materials) that are in stable condition and not bound by any previous reproduction restrictions. Cost of photocopies are 10cents/page payable in cash only. The Archives can also offer scanning services - costs for this service varies depending upon material being scanned, please contact Archivist for more information.
Public areas
The Northern BC Archives has a spacious reference room complete with two publicly accessible computer terminals and a large common work table.
Control area
Description identifier
CA - UNBC - NBCA
Institution identifier
Northern B.C. Archives and Special Collections
Rules and/or conventions used
Canadian Council of Archives "Rules of Archival Description" (revised 2008)