Archives

Merritt College Library maintains several archival collections that may be viewed in-house.  These archives cover the history of the Peralta Community College District, Merritt and its sister colleges, the Library itself, and the Black Panther Party, which has its roots at Merritt.  For access to or copies of archival materials, please contact Judy Singer at (510) 436-2555.

Merritt College & Peralta District History Archive

• Samuel Merritt and family
• The college's earliest beginnings as Merritt Business School
• The Grove Street site and its turbulent and exciting years
• The controversial move to the current hill site
• The history of the land and environmental site studies
• The formation of the Peralta district and sister colleges
• Chronological files of flyers, brochures, newsletters, memos, etc.
• Newspaper clippings

Black Panthers Archive

• 1960's and 70's announcements of Panther events, documents, publications, and newspaper articles
• Information on party members
• Complete microfilm collection of the Black Panther Newspaper
• Current Black Panther activities
• Background information including the formation of the African American Studies Department, Black Power movement, the Black Student Union, etc.

Merritt College Document Archive

Reports, plans, publications, studies, handbooks, agendas and minutes, contracts, directories, and manuals for the following entities:

• Merritt and Peralta sister colleges
• Peralta Community College District
• Faculty
• Classified Staff
• Associated Students of Merritt College
• Merritt College Library
• State of California

The Library Office Archive

• Merritt Library history
• College and district newsletters and publications
• College catalogs and schedules
• College and district documents
• Environmental Planning Committee documents, studies, minutes, and announcements
• Flat file storage of college and area environmental maps; photos