Zhang Legacy Collections Center
The Zhang Legacy Collections Center is home to WMU Archives, Regional History Collection and Special Collections. Named for Charles Zhang and Lynn Chen-Zhang, the Center has more than 30,000 cubic feet of resources and books, making it the largest facility of its type in southwest Michigan and one of the largest in the state.
All materials must be used in the Center and cannot be checked out. Most collections must be retrieved by staff and can take up to thirty minutes to be available for research.
You can request a photocopy, microprint or scan of many of the documents in our library for research use. Exceptions include fragile and oversized documents. Photographs are not available for loan, but you can request a reproduction or scan of most images. Our staff handle all copying and scanning.
Today's hours
Collections
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WMU Archives
Yearbooks, catalogs, photographs, publications, scrapbooks and issues of the Western Herald, all documenting the history of Western Michigan University.
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Regional History Collection
Letters, diaries, oral histories, photographs, public records, publications and much more about the history of southwest Michigan.
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Special Collections
More than 41,000 books and other unique items from pop-up children's books to centuries-old medieval manuscripts available for your research, creative and academic projects.
Records management
The Zhang Legacy Collection Center also provides records management for Western Michigan University. As part of the WMU archives, our records management service helps to collect, preserve and provide access to the historical and official records of the University.
Visiting
Visitors are welcome to stop by the Zhang Legacy Collections Center any time during open hours. In accordance with WMU's COVID-19 protocols, masks are optional in the Zhang Legacy Collections Center at this time. If you are concerned about being around groups, please check our calendar for activities scheduled in the building.
Make an appointment
If you would like us to have materials ready for when you arrive, we encourage you to make an appointment. To schedule an appointment with us:
- Email arch-collect@wmich.edu.
- In the email, include your name, phone number and what materials you hope to work with during your visit.
- We will contact you to develop a plan.
Class visits
Class visits
Faculty and instructors are invited to bring students to the Zhang Legacy Collections Center for a hands-on experience using the books and other materials in our unique collections.
Location, parking, driving directions
Location
1650 Oakland Drive
WMU mail stop: 5307
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5307
Latitude 42.276759, Longitude -85.606558
Parking
Parking Visitors may park in the two free guest parking spaces (designated with signs) in Lot 108, north of the building. All other spaces require a WMU permit or a day pass. Purchase a day pass inside the building for $5 per day.
Driving directions
From I-94
Exit at Oakland Drive (#75). Continue north on Oakland Drive for 3 miles. As you cross Howard Street, we are the first drive on the left. Look for the sign–Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center.
From US-131
Exit at Stadium Drive (#36) going east. Continue on Stadium Drive to the Howard Street traffic light. Turn right at Howard. At the next light turn left on Oakland Drive. We are the first drive on the left. Look for the sign–Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center.