Finding Aids

Library materials

The Stanford University online public access catalog Socrates contains information on books and serials. However, some library materials acquired before 1977 may be listed only in the card catalogs located on the main floor of the Hoover Tower. Socrates searches can be limited to the Hoover Institution Library.

Archival materials

The Stanford University online public access catalog Socrates contains brief descriptive overviews of all collections. Socrates searches can be limited to the Hoover Institution Archives.

More detailed guides to collections, called "finding aids," are also available for more than one thousand of the Archives' six thousand collections via the Online Archive of California. To view the entire finding aid online, click on the collection title in the alphabetical list of collections, then click on "Entire finding aid" under "View options." Photocopies of finding aids, subject lists, and new accession lists can be purchased by mail from Carol Leadenham.

Collections stored off-site

Some of the Archives’ collections are stored off-site, and it may be possible to have a limited number of boxes brought to the Archives reading room for examination. A minimum of two days notice is required. Please contact Carol Leadenham for more information.