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Costa papers arrive at library's political archives

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The Central Valley Political Archive (CVPA) of the Henry Madden Library has received the first donation of papers from former state legislator Jim Costa.

Costa, a 1974 graduate of Fresno State, served in the State Assembly from 1979-1994 and in the State Senate from 1995-2002.

The Costa papers received to date measure approximately 50 linear feet and include selected correspondence, press releases, newsletters and material documenting Costa's involvement with the National Council of State Legislators, for which he served a term as president.

The core of the collection consists of legislative bill files from Costa's years in the state legislature, and reflects his interest in local concerns such as agriculture, water and transportation.

Additional records documenting other aspects of Costa's political career will be added to his collection when they become available.

The collection will be processed according to standard archival practices that will preserve the papers for and make them accessible to future generations.  A guide to the collection (called a finding aid) and indexes to the Costa bill files will be made available at the CVPA's Web site, to be unveiled soon.

The Costa papers join those previously donated by state legislator Kenneth L. Maddy and former U.S. congressmen Chip Pashayan and Bernie Sisk.

The CVPA was formally established in 2000 as a resource for scholars and is committed to preserving the legacy of Central Valley legislators and documenting all aspects of political life in the region.

Researchers wishing to consult the Costa papers or any of the collections may visit the CVPA, which is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is located on the second floor of the Henry Madden Library. For more information, contact archivist Glenn Gray at 8-8573 or ggray.

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