The University Archives houses the historically valuable records of the State University of New York at Buffalo and its predecessor, the University of Buffalo (1846-1962). The Archives collects, organizes and maintains the records of UB academic departments and administrative offices, along with all university and student publications. The Archives also collects the private papers of administrators, faculty members and other individuals associated with UB. Historical manuscript collections complement current or past faculty research interests or document regional organizations and events.

The Poetry Collection seeks to collect material that documents the creation, publication, performance, readership, and study of 20th and 21st century poetry in English including manuscripts, correspondence, publishers’ records, photographs, and printed material and ephemera. Founded in 1937 by Charles Abbott, the Poetry Collection holds one of the world’s largest collections of poetry first editions and other titles, little literary magazines, broadsides and anthologies; a substantial collection of artworks; and more than 150 archives and manuscript collections from a wide range of poets, presses, magazines and organizations.