Submit a question to be routed to the appropriate staff.

Search our collections

• Archival collections:
  Search collection guides by keyword in Archives West
• Rare books and publications:
  Library catalog
• Digitized images and materials; born-digital items:
  Digital Collections
• Guides to history of health sciences and OHSU history sources:
  History resource guides

We support broad access to our collections through online collection guides, the Library catalog, digitization, and reference assistance.

We consult with the OHSU community on using university history and historical collections for outreach and community engagement. Our role is identifying relevant materials for research and presentation, and overseeing preservation and display of materials. We can provide references for independent contractors with expertise in historical research, visual design, content development, and project management.

OHSU Library provides high-quality scans of materials from Historical Collections & Archives for individual study and research.

Please consult our copyright and publication guidelines for guidance on the use and publication of our materials.

Service fees may apply; see our list of service fees for details.

Onsite research access to materials that we cannot make available digitally must be scheduled at least one week in advance. We will make every effort to make the best use of your time onsite. Schedule a virtual consultation or contact us to discuss your research needs, identify materials of interest, and to arrange a research appointment.

• Appointments will be held in OHSU Library space on the Marquam Hill campus. Detailed directions will be provided via email in advance of your arrival.
• All persons must wear a mask during the entire portion of the visit.
• Requested materials will be available when you arrive. Materials not previously requested will require another appointment to allow the items to be located and pulled for use.
• A staff member will be present during the length of your appointment to provide further assistance and guidance on how to carefully handle our unique materials.

Helpful tips for a successful historical research visit:

• Think well ahead of hard deadlines, and schedule in advance.
  Archival research is slow research, and often involves sifting through many records. Your research may take several visits, depending on how many materials you’re using.
   
• Do some broad, preliminary research on your topic. 
  Archival materials aren’t an efficient introduction to a large well-understood topic (such as “the history of psychiatry”). Before consulting archival records, check published sources such as historical review articles or books to get a big picture idea of your topic.
   
• Be prepared to expend some time and effort. 
  While archival records document specific circumstances, we may not have individual records that address your specific question. You may need to piece together evidence from several different sources to advance your knowledge.
   
• Understand that archives standard practices are designed to protect the materials, but we can always consider alternative options.
  Archival materials are rare and often one-of-a-kind records of the circumstances they document, and must be safeguarded against loss or damage. Additionally, as a HIPAA-covered entity, OHSU upholds strong standards to protect patient privacy. Some records are restricted from access due to the inclusion of protected health information (PHI) or to other privacy concerns. Please ask us if you have questions about our practices.
   
• Ask questions during your visit, and ask for help if you become frustrated.
  While we are generally not able to estimate how long your research will take, or answer questions of historical trivia on the spot, we have extensive experience in assisting researchers in using our collections. Do not hesitate to ask questions if a document strikes your interest in another source, if you are confused by something, or if something is just not adding up and you need some clarification. 

Adapted from “How can you help archivists to help you? Reference service from our side of the desk,” by Samantha Thompson, Archivist, Region of Peel Archives, January 23, 2019.

Our staff and facilities are available for classes, meetings, and tours. We will work with you to plan a customized experience for your group.

We encourage instructors to incorporate our resources in the history of the health sciences into their classes. We will work with you to select materials and schedule a specific class session or series.

Please contact us to arrange a class or visit.