Cult Awareness Network (CAN) collection, circa 1972-2001

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Summary

Title:
Cult Awareness Network (CAN) collection
Dates:
circa 1972-2001
Abstract:
Materials compiled and produced by the Cult Awareness Network, a cult watchdog group which ceased operations in the mid 1990s.
Extent:
150 Linear Feet (145 cartons and document boxes, ca. 180 audiotapes, ca. 100 videotapes)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Cult Awareness Network (CAN) Collection. ARC Mss 19. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

The Cult Awareness Network (CAN) Collection includes files (correspondence, clippings, articles) relating to hundreds of religious groups, mainly based in the United States, as well as internal administrative, financial, and legal files of the cult watchdog group which ceased operations in the mid 1990s.

Acquisition information:
Gift of the Foundation for Religious Freedom, 1999; additions, Anson D. Shupe, 2007.
Arrangement:

The collection has been arranged by topic and format into eight series:

  • Series 1: Subjects and Groups
  • Series 2: Administrative files
  • Series 3: Scientology
  • Series 4: Photographs
  • Series 5: Artifacts
  • Series 6: Audiovisual materials
  • Series 7: Computer disks
  • Series 8: Anson D. Shupe addition

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Arrangement and description by Special Collections staff, latest revision by D. Tambo. Finding aid updated by Rebecca Vasquez, February 2026.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-02-12 13:20:17 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

A portion of the collection is stored offsite. Advance notice is required for retrieval.

Boxes 104, 105, and 108 are closed pending staff review. Please contact the Department of Special Research Collections in advance to request access.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and may be retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.

All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@library.ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or their assignees for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Cult Awareness Network (CAN) Collection. ARC Mss 19. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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