These are the organizational files for the Society of California Archivists (SCA). They cover from the beginning of its formation in 1971, to 2020. The bulk of the files are to 2004. The series are organized in alphabetical order and include board meeting files as well as committees activites, handbooks, newsletters, photographs and training workshop files.

"The Society of California Archivists (SCA) was established to promote cooperation and exchange of information among individuals interested in the preservation and use of archival and manuscript materials in California and adjoining areas, to disseminate information on research materials and archival methodology, and to provide a forum for the discussion of matters of common concern. The Society originated from the meeting, in July 1971, at the invitation of Lynn B. Donovan, of a representative group of archivists and manuscript curators in California, to discuss the formation of an archival organization as a means of response to the burden of personal expense involved for California archivists in travelling to out-of-state professional meetings and the need for a locally-oriented forum. This group acted as an ad hoc steering committee until the Society was formally voted into existence in October 1971, at an organizational meeting attended by 48 persons drawn from the California membership of the Society of American Archivists, the Manuscript Society, the Rare Books Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries and the Conference of California Historical Societies. The meeting elected a Steering Committee, which developed the Bylaws by which, with a few revisions, the Society is still basically governed; and it instituted annual meetings and a newsletter published several times yearly, both of which remain important channels of communication and information exchange for a membership which has always been somewhat heterogeneous and is separated by considerable distances from the north to the south. In addition to regular meetings and workshops, the Society has over the years, sponsored a number of special events and activities to further professional education and raise the profile of the archival community in California, usually working in conjunction with other organizations and institutions, including the Society of American Archivists and the National Archives and Record Administration.

42.21 Linear Feet (93 document boxes, 1 half size document box)

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Research Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Research Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Research Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

The collection is open for research. A portion of the collection is stored offsite. Advance notice is required for retrieval.