Celebrating Archives Month
Happy American Archives Month! Throughout October, libraries and other organizations around the nation highlight the importance of historical records and the work of archivists.
Our own Archives and Special Collections Department has planned several events in recognition of Archives Month — we invite you to join us!
October 1: Greetings from Davis: Write A Postcard Home
October 1 is World Postcard Day! Stop by Shields Library Lobby from 1-2:30pm and send a postcard home. We’ll provide everything you need: a pen, UC Davis Library postcard, and postage!
- Oct. 1, 1-2:30 p.m., Shields Library
- Learn more about our postcard event.
October 17: Sacramento Archives Crawl
Archives and special collections libraries from throughout the Sacramento region open their doors to the public and showcase their rarely seen holdings during the annual Sacramento Archives Crawl.
Stop by our Archives and Special Collections table at the California State Library from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and meet our archivists. We’ll be displaying items from our new exhibit, Archives and Special Collections: Our Work, Our Collections, Our Impact.
- Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., California State Library, Sacramento
- Learn more about the Archives Crawl.
October 22: Author Talk by Peter Flax
Author Peter Flax will share insights into the creation and production of Live to Ride: Finding Joy and Meaning on a Bicycle, a 2024 book that explores the unifying dynamics of bicycle culture. The book argues that everyone who rides—whether they commute, enjoy nature, or race—has more in common than they might realize.
Part of the discussion will focus on a section contextualizing the significance of groundbreaking bike lanes constructed decades ago in Davis—and how Flax was aided by photography and documents from the Archives and Special Collections at the UC Davis Library. In the end, the talk, like the book, will provide an inspiring and enlightening look at the reasons that make people fall in love with riding, reasons that can help unify everyone who rides and make the experience more meaningful and safe for everyone.
- Oct. 22, 5:30-7 p.m., Shields Library, Room 167
- Register for the author talk.
October 28: Scrapbook Aggie
Join us on October 28 to document your own Aggie journey!
We’ll have scrapbook supplies on hand (while they last) to get you started, and you’re also welcome to bring your own. Have you been collecting mementos or “junk” from your Aggie experience —tickets, photos, notes, or receipts? Bring them with you!
- Oct. 28, 1-2:30p.m., Shields Library Lobby
- Learn more about the Scrapbook Aggie event.
Exhibit, Archives and Special Collections: Our Work, Our Collections, Our Impact
What is the oldest item in our collection? Do you need to wear gloves when I handle rare books? This new exhibit answers frequently asked questions and many more, with a focus on our Archives and Special Collections Department’s public services and behind-the-scenes work.
Located on the first floor of Shields Library near the department, the six-case exhibit features some of the most remarkable items in our collections. Take a walk through what, how and why we steward the library’s rare books, manuscript collections, historical photographs, rare audiovisual recordings and the University Archives.
- Through March 19, 2027, Shields Library Lobby
- Visit the exhibit and enjoy a souvenir postcard (while supplies last!).