Western History Collections Research Services
Service Overview
Materials at the Western History Collections may not be checked out or borrowed. However, they can be accessed in a variety of ways. We offer onsite access to collections by appointment, remote research assistance via email, and online access to some collections through our digital collections.
What We Offer
Anyone can use our collections for their personal or professional research. You can use our archival finding aid database and library catalog to identify materials of interest. For viewing materials in person, you can request an appointment. Some of our collections are available online in our digital collections. If you need assistance, please contact us at westernhistorycollections@ou.edu.
- Research consultations
- Onsite appointments
- Remote research assistance
Get Started
How to Find Resources
You can use these links to identify research materials:
- Archival Collection Finding Aids: This database contains inventories, also known as finding aids, for archival collections at the Western History Collections.
- Library Catalog: This database includes records for books, journals, and archival collections located in the Special Research Collections at the University of Oklahoma Libraries, including the Western History Collections.
- Digital Collections: This repository provides access to digitized archival collections. Please note that any collection available online is not available for in-person research.
You can also find these resources on the Search Special Research Collections page.
Booking an Appointment
Research appointments are required because many collection materials are stored offsite. To ensure your materials are onsite for your appointment, please provide us with a list of the materials you will need for your visit either via email or through the appointment request form. If possible, please list the materials you need in priority order. For manuscript collections, please provide the collection name and box number for any material you need for your appointment. For photograph collections, please provide the collection name, box number, and item number. See our policies page for collection access details.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3:30 pm. Please note that there is a 48-hour buffer when requesting an appointment. Requesting a same-day or next-day appointment is not possible through our appointment requesting system. Staff review all appointment requests. If your appointment is approved, you will receive a confirmation email. Staff may reach out to you if they need more information before approving your appointment.
All researchers are required to register. A registration link will be sent via email after the appointment is confirmed.
If you need assistance identifying relevant resources or have questions about booking an appointment, please contact us.
Arriving for Your Appointment
All appointments occur in the Western History Collections reading room.
The Western History Collections reading room is located in Monnet Hall, Room 300. Monnet Hall is directly west of the Oklahoma Memorial Union. There are two entrances to Monnet Hall:
- Front Entrance: The front doors are located on the west side of the building facing Parrington Oval (the North Oval). Take the main staircase to the top floor of Monnet Hall, Room 300.
- Back Entrance: The accessible entrance is on the south side of the building with a ramp and automatic door. The elevator is located by this entrance. Press 5 in the elevator. Exit the elevator and turn right to take the short staircase down to the reading room.
The Western History Collections reading room is only accessible via stairs. For accommodations, please contact us.
When you arrive for your appointment, you will be:
- Asked to show identification
- Asked to register if you did not complete the form before your arrival. If you did not receive a registration link, please contact us.
- Informed of our reading room policies. See the Policies page for more information.
- Asked to place your bags, food, and drink in a designated area.
- Instructed on the best practices for viewing archival materials.
- Provided additional in-person support for your research.
Please see our policies page for additional information about reading room policies.
Other Ways to Request Materials
- Send a request through the Western History Collections Contact Form
- Request materials via item records in the Library Catalog
- Request materials via item records in the Archival Finding Aids Database
Offsite Researcher Assistance
Researchers can contact us to request copies of materials. When requesting reproductions, please include the following information.
- For books: include the title, author, publication year, call number, and needed page numbers.
- For manuscripts: include the collection name/s, box numbers, and folder numbers.
- For photographs: include the collection name/s, box numbers, and image numbers.
- For maps: include the collection name/s and item numbers.
Please see the Policies page for more information.
Staff members do not interpret information contained in collection materials.
We cannot perform in-depth research. For research that requires more than one hour of staff time, we will direct you to a researcher-for-hire.
Contact Information
FAQ
We’re happy to talk about our collections! Come visit us in Monnet Hall, Room 300, or make an appointment with us.
The WHC is located in Monnet Hall on the Norman campus of the University of Oklahoma in Room 300. Monnet Hall (the former Law building), is directly to the west of Oklahoma Memorial Student Union.
The south entrance to Monnet Hall is accessible by ramp and automatic opener. The elevator is located just inside this entrance. In the elevator, press 5 to go to the reading room.
Note: from the 5th floor elevator landing, the reading room is only accessible by five stair steps, not by elevator. Visitors who require access by elevator should contact the Western History Collections at (405) 325-2904 for additional assistance.