The John M. Pfau Library and University Archives continues to accept submissions from members of the campus community as they document their personal experiences during the COVID-19 outbreak, and contribute their stories to the University Archives.

In April 2020, the Pfau Library and University Archives launched the “Documenting the CSUSB COVID-19 Experience,” a collecting initiative designed to capture for posterity how the university responded to the coronavirus pandemic, which has profoundly altered many facets of society — an impact that will likely be felt for years, if not decades, to come.

By the conclusion of the fall semester, the library received more than 200 submissions, and archive staff are working assiduously to process and preserve these materials — letters, poems, narratives, journal entries, and other creative pieces — in CSUSB’s ScholarWorks, an online digital repository that is accessible to students, faculty, staff and the general public.

 “The content we have collected so far offers rich insight and perspective into the unique challenges of the current time; it also conveys a remarkable sense of resilience and optimism—a quality to draw inspiration from as we continue to adapt to pandemic circumstances,” archive staff said.  “We encourage everyone to participate in this important project, which remains ongoing, and send a special thanks to members of the campus community who have contributed their stories for preservation.”

 For questions or more information, visit Documenting the CSUSB COVID-19 Experience or contact Eric Milenkiewicz at eric.milenkiewicz@csusb.edu.