Digitizing California History: Issues of Selection and Description

The University of the Pacific has been a part of California history since its founding as the state's first chartered institution of higher education in 1851. In support of the University's teaching and research mission, the University Library's Special Collections department has amassed a wealth of manuscript collections and historic documents that provide valuable insights into California's rich history. Special Collections has recently undertaken digitization initiatives to expand online access to its unique holdings. This article will review these digital collections, and discuss some of the selection criteria and descriptive practices used in creating them.