Recollect: STScI’s New Digital Collections Portal

STScI Newsletter
2025 / Volume 42 / Issue 01

About this Article

Danielle Geffel (dgeffel[at]stsci.edu)

A screenshot of the coming soon website layout with library materials in a grid
Figure 1. Recollect features an intuitive interface that allows users to filter results by various facets including mission, instrument, and division.

The STScI Institutional Archive was established to capture key administrative, scientific, and technical documentation for the purpose of preserving institutional knowledge, and providing inspiration to present and future generations through research and education. The archive contains records, papers, photographs, institute publications, and other historical materials documenting the intellectual, cultural, administrative, and social life of STScI from conceptualization (1972) to the present. It also includes the milestones of its missions, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

Previously an internal only resource, we are pleased to announce that many of STScI’s non-confidential assets will be available to the public for the first time through our digital collections portal, Recollect. This new platform features thousands of digital assets and will be launching on the Hubble Space Telescope’s 35th birthday, April 24, 2025. Whether you’re researching changes to instrumentation aboard Hubble throughout the years or are curious about the formation of galaxies, we look forward to assisting STScI staff and astronomy enthusiasts alike!

Below are some key features of the new archive portal:

Search Capabilities

  • Conduct complex search queries and refine results using detailed filters, allowing for greater precision in locating materials.
  • Preview items using thumbnail images alongside metadata, offering a quicker and more visual browsing experience.
  • Perform in-depth searches within PDF documents, opening up a wealth of detailed information directly from the platform.
  • Find out what’s accessible in print in addition to digital materials.

Intuitive Navigation

  • Easily navigate between related items using linked data to discover connections within the archive.
  • Hover-text and explanations will guide you through various features, providing clear and accessible instructions for each tool or option.

Access Recollect beginning April 24, 2025

  • STScI staff can access Recollect using SSO credentials.
  • External users can register for an account on the STScI Recollect homepage.

For more information about STScI’s Institutional Archive, please visit our website or reach out to institute_archive@stsci.edu with any questions or comments.

Share This Page

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google

Contact our News Team 

Contact our Outreach Office