The Special Collections unit collects in several primary subject areas related to Staten Island, including political history, immigration, and public policy. Major components of the Special Collections include The Senator John J. Marchi Papers, The Assemblywoman Elizabeth A. Connelly Papers, The Eric N. Vitaliano Papers, The Theodora Dubois Papers, and The Staten Island Collection.
The primary collecting focus of the Archives is on the official (administrative) records of the College of Staten Island and its predecessor institutions, Staten Island Community College and Richmond College. These records document the functions, policies, and decisions of the College and include correspondence, reports, minutes, directives, announcements, photographs, and publications. The Archives also collects semi-official records and publications of College-sponsored student, alumni, and faculty organizations that document College life. Finally, the Archives selectively collects personal and professional papers of faculty, administrators, staff, students, and alumni that reflect the life of the College.