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Albert S. Cook Library

Special Collections and University Archives

Learn what special collections and university archives are, what we hold, and how to access the collections

Citing Your Finds

While there is no universal standard for citing archival materials due to their unique contexts, it is important to pay attention to how the materials you intend to use have been labelled and organized by the archivist. Besides generating an accurate citation, this process can help other researchers track down the materials included in your research. 

 
Basic elements that are needed for most citation styles
  • Title or brief description of the material
  • Name of the collection that the material belongs to 
  • Collection identifier name or number
    • For physical items, locate the Identifier #, Box #, Folder #
    • For digital items, locate the Identifier name or #
  • Repository name (Towson Special Collections and University Archives) and location (Towson University, Towson, MD)

Formatting Your Citations

The following format for MLA style citations has been pulled from CSU's Citations for Archival Materials. Visit their guide for more sample citations and formatting rules for APA and Chicago styles. 

 
Basic Format 

Author Last Name, First Name. Title/description of material. Day Month Year. Collection

title. Collection identifier, Box number, Folder number. Name of repository, Location of

Repository. URL for digital materials.

 

If an author or creator is not named, begin the citation with the title or description of the material. 
If there is no date, insert "Date unknown."
If the date is uncertain, insert "[possible date?]" (e.g., [1910?]). 

 

 
Examples

Student Government Association. Constitution book. 1921. Student Government Association

records. 004-005, Box 1, Folder 2. Towson Special Collections and University Archives,

Towson University, Towson, MD. 

 

Photograph of McFadden Alexander Newell in principal's office. 1887. Photographs Collection. 

ph004046. Towson Special Collections and University Archives, Towson University,

Towson, MD. https://archives.towson.edu/Documents/Detail/mcfadden-alexander-newell-in-principals-office/72591