Academic catalogs, 1891-

This collection of catalogs covers nearly every year of Buena Vista College's and later, Buena Vista University's, existence, from 1891 to the present. The catalogs have gone by many names over the years: Bulletin, Catalogue, View, Buena Vista Today, among them. They list classes, curricular requirements, and calendars of activities; occasionally they have photos. They may also serve as handbooks for student life.

Until the 1970s, title pages carried dates for the preceding and current academic years, and this is likely to confuse researchers, with the early years being most confusing. The archives has tried to minimize this confusion, but researchers may find inconsistencies and are encouraged to check preceding and succeeding years' catalogs when doing research. Also, some of the earliest catalogs printed lists of student names and the respective programs in which they were enrolled.

Additionally, the archives owns some summer school, interim, commercial, and graduate catalogs, which are also part of this collection. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, BV also hosted a separate summer school focusing on addictions. This was sponsored by Northwest Iowa Alcohol and Drug Treatment Unit, Iowa Mental Health Authority, Iowa Commission on Alcoholism, Iowa Medical Society, Iowa Division of Education, Rehabilitation and Services, Iowa Alcoholism Foundation, Iowa Drug Abuse Authority, State Alcoholism Authority, and BV.