Pandemic history items needed from the Auburn Family

The Special Collections and Archives of Auburn University Libraries is continuing its efforts to document the efforts of Auburn University and its students, faculty and staff in adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic archive already contains many items from official Auburn sources. What the collection lacks is more personal items, especially from students.

“We’ve been very successful at capturing the items about the pandemic from sources like the president and provost’s offices, and the posters and signage produced by the university,” said Tommy Brown, archivist and associate professor at AU Libraries’ Special Collections and Archives. “What we lack is the more personal aspect of the pandemic like a face mask that was worn for a special occasion, a t-shirt for an event during the pandemic, photographs of students in their masks or perhaps participating in a Zoom class. All of these are items that seem mundane now, but one day will be the things that give historians the complete picture of the pandemic at Auburn University.”

Students and other members of the Auburn Family are asked to donate physical items of all kinds, including: photographs, diaries, posters, students assignments, t-shirts or ephemera of any kind. Basically, anything connected with the pandemic.

Digital files are also welcome: photos, word docs, diaries, syllabi, assignments, video/audio files. Most paper items can be scanned or photographed and converted into PDFs. People can fill out the online information and upload their files as many times as they want here.

Questions about donating items may be addressed to Tommy Brown at brownt6@auburn.edu or (334) 844-1733.