Archives

For Students
Students are always welcome in the Archives for research support, enquiries about the College and its history, and access to the publications and papers of former student governments and clubs.

For Faculty
The archivist is available for classroom support regarding the use of primary documents in research. We welcome the use of archival materials for student assignments and would be happy to provide access to pertinent resources.

For Visitors
An exhibit space is located in the corridor outside the Archives, showcasing materials drawn from Trinity’s history. Visitors are welcome to view the exhibits during Archives hours, and tours of the Archives may be arranged by appointment.

Outside Researchers and Genealogists
The Archives is open to the broader community through phone or email contact, and by appointment. While Archives staff are happy to assist researchers in identifying relevant collections and resources, extensive research cannot be undertaken on a researcher’s behalf.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy
The archivist is the Freedom of Information Officer for the College. For more information on FIPPA, please see the University of Toronto website.

Records Management
The Archives is responsible for developing, implementing and supporting records management at Trinity College. Records plans and retention schedules have been developed for most College offices. Staff are encouraged to contact the Archives with questions regarding College records, secure shredding, records disposition, and the long-term preservation of records documenting Trinity’s activities.

Art Collection
The archivist is responsible for the care of works of art held by the College. In conjunction with the Art Committee (composed of staff, alumni and students), decisions are made relating to the hanging, conservation and acquisition of artwork. The College is particularly

The Trinity College Archives preserves and provides access to a wide range of archival and research collections documenting the history of the College and supporting teaching, learning, and scholarship. Our holdings include:

Trinity College Institutional Records
Records documenting the administration, governance, academic life, and activities of the College from its founding to present.

Student Life and Organizations
Records of student government, clubs, societies, publications, athletics, theatre productions, and other aspects of student life at Trinity College.

Private Papers
The papers of alumni, faculty, staff, and other individuals associated with Trinity College, as well as collections relating to the history of higher education, Canadian society, and Anglican history.

Research Collections
The Archives holds a range of research collections that support teaching, learning, and scholarship within the College. Particular strengths include the records and papers of Canadian politicians, diplomats, ambassadors, international development practitioners, NGO workers, and civil society organizations. These collections support research and teaching in areas such as International Relations, Ethics, Society & Law, Canadian history, public policy, and related fields.

Photographs
The Archives contains approximately 5,000 photographs documenting campus buildings, students, faculty, staff and alumni. Many have been digitized. Please contact the archivist for assistance.

Architectural records
The Archives holds approximately 3,000 architectural drawings that document the various buildings of past and present College campuses. Many have been digitized.

Finding aids for archival fonds and collections can be accessed through the University of Toronto Discover Archives website.

Researchers are encouraged to contact the Archivist in advance of their visit. While many materials are available for consultation in the reading room, some records may require retrieval from storage before they can be accessed.

The Virginia and Peter McLaughlin Room for Archival Study is available for the consultation of archival materials. Researchers may be asked to register and agree to Archives policies before accessing collections.

To arrange a research visit or discuss your research interests, please contact the Archivist at trinity.archives@utoronto.ca or 416-978-2019.

Conducting Research
Researchers will be asked to fill out a registration form, check their bags and follow our handling guidelines. An appointment is highly recommended as our staff is very small. You may wish to consult our list of archival fonds and collections to narrow your search before your visit. A consultation with the archivist will help you find all available sources for your topic.

Access to Records
The corporate records of Trinity College are restricted subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Private records are generally open, but may have some restrictions imposed by donors.

Copyright
The Archives may not hold copyright to all materials in its holdings. If a researcher wishes to use information for use other than research and private study, permission of the copyright owner, including Trinity College, must be obtained. Researchers are responsible for observing copyright law.

Copying
Requests for photocopies and digital reproductions will be filled if possible when there are no preservation, donor or legislative restrictions. Photocopies and digitized copies are available at a cost of $0.50 per page. The use of cameras is allowed. All copying is at the discretion of the archivist.

Digital Reproductions Terms and Conditions
The Trinity College Archives may provide digital reproductions of records in its holdings, and may also permit researchers to create their own digital copies, unless donor, copyright, privacy, access, or conservation restrictions apply.

Researchers receiving or creating digital reproductions must agree to the following conditions:

1. Digital reproductions will be used solely for research, private study, or other purposes permitted by law.
2. Digital reproductions may not be published, distributed, posted online, reproduced, or otherwise shared without the authorization of the copyright holder or as otherwise permitted by law.
3. The researcher assumes responsibility for determining copyright status and obtaining any permissions required for publication or other use.
4. The researcher is responsible for providing complete and accurate citations for all reproduced materials.
5. Digital reproductions may not be altered in a manner that misrepresents the original record.
6. Where requested, researchers will provide the Archives with information regarding the materials reproduced and the intended use of those reproductions.
7. The Archives reserves the right to refuse or restrict reproduction of materials for reasons of copyright, privacy, donor agreement, conservation, or access restrictions.
8. Researchers creating their own digital reproductions must handle materials in accordance with the Archives Handling Guidelines.
9. The use of flash photography and personal scanners is prohibited. Archives staff reserve the right to deny or revoke permission to create digital reproductions at any time.

The Trinity College Archives depends on the support of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the College to preserve and share Trinity’s history. Contributions of archival materials, historical information, and financial support help ensure that the stories of the College and its community remain accessible to future generations.

Donate Historical Materials
The Archives welcomes inquiries about records, photographs, publications, correspondence, audiovisual materials, and other items that document the history of Trinity College and its community.

In addition to acquiring the records of the College, the Archives collects the papers of alumni, faculty, staff, and others whose activities are connected to Trinity. We are particularly interested in materials that document student life, academic programs, clubs and organizations, and the experiences of members of the Trinity community.

If you are considering donating materials, please contact the Archivist to discuss the collection before sending or delivering records.

Help Fill the Gaps
As part of its mandate, the Archives acquires copies of College publications and seeks to preserve the documentary record of student life. Despite these efforts, gaps remain in the collections, particularly for the period before Trinity’s federation with the University of Toronto.

The Archives is especially interested in locating missing College calendars, publications of the Trinity Medical College, St. Hilda’s College publications, student newspapers and magazines, photographs, event programs, and other materials that document life at Trinity.

If you have historical Trinity materials that you would be willing to donate or lend for copying, the Archivist would be pleased to hear from you.

Support the Archives
Financial contributions help the Archives preserve and provide access to Trinity’s documentary heritage, support exhibitions and public programming, and create opportunities for experiential learning through the use of archival collections.

To discuss a financial gift in support of the Archives, please contact the Archivist or the Trinity College Office of Development & Alumni Affairs.