Services
Whether you're interested in exploring our collections or adding to them, we've got services to suit your needs.
Use our collections
We offer services to help you access our collections from anywhere. See the options below to search collections, get research help, access materials, or arrange a class or tour.
- Search archival collections like university records, faculty papers, community collections and more by keyword in Archives West.
- Search rare books and other published items in the Library's catalog.
- Search digitized items like photos, oral histories, and campus news in OHSU Digital Collections.
- Questions about OHSU or health sciences history? Submit a request to reach our staff.
- Just getting started? Check out our resource guides.
Request digital copies
- If you need a small number of items from our collections (1-10), we would be happy to provide you with digital copies. Submit one request per item.
In-person research
- To use materials that aren’t online, schedule an in-person appointment at least one week in advance. We’ll help you make the most of your time.
- Appointments are held in OHSU Library space on Marquam Hill, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (based on staff availability). You’ll receive detailed directions in your confirmation email.
- Requested items will be ready when you arrive. Items not requested ahead of time will require a separate appointment.
- A staff member will be present to assist you and show you how to handle these unique items.
- Contact us to discuss your research needs and book an appointment.
Remote research
- Need to review items but can’t visit in person? We can also arrange remote viewings. Contact us to discuss your needs.
Our staff and spaces are available for classes and tours. We'll work with you to plan a customized experience for your group. We encourage instructors to use our health sciences history resources in their classes, and we can help select items for a class session or series. Contact us to plan a class visit or tour.
Service fees
| Service | OHSU members | General public |
|---|---|---|
| Reference questions | no charge | no charge |
| On-site research | no charge | no charge |
| Digitized copies | no charge | 1-10 items: no charge; over 10: $10 per item |
| Rush fee | $50 | $50 |
Copyright and publication guidelines
OHSU Historical Collections & Archives offers broad public access to its collections as a contribution to education and scholarship. Some materials in the collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) and/or by the copyright or neighboring-rights laws of other nations. More information is provided by the U.S. Copyright Office. Additionally, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of OHSU HC&A gift agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks, and the physical condition of the materials.
The nature of historical and archival collections means that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. OHSU HC&A may or may not hold rights to material in its collections, but provides available copyright information as a service to aid researchers in determining the appropriate use of an item. OHSU HC&A also provides copies of materials for individual research. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials from OHSU HC&A collections.
All materials and/or items used for publication should be properly cited and credit OHSU Historical Collections & Archives as the source.
OHSU HC&A assumes no responsibility for infraction of copyright laws, invasion of privacy, or any other improper or illegal use that may arise from reproduction of any image or other work. In all instances, the applicant agrees to hold OHSU HC&A harmless against any and all claims arising or resulting from the use of these materials and shall indemnify OHSU HC&A for any and all costs and damages arising or resulting from any such unauthorized use.
Donate or transfer materials
Our collections grow mainly through donations. We work with the OHSU community and the public to ensure historical materials are preserved for the future. We collect books, papers, photos, artifacts, memorabilia, and other items related to OHSU’s history and the history of health sciences. We’re especially interested in personal collections from alumni and employees, and materials that highlight underrepresented communities.
Contact the Library to discuss donating materials.
Examples of materials we accept for donation include (but are not limited to):
- Research data, research notes
- Professional and personal correspondence
- Lecture notes
- Photographs, photo slides
- Artifacts related to the practice of health sciences
- Rare books, books by OHSU-affiliated authors, books about health sciences in the Pacific Northwest
- Materials that highlight communities that are underrepresented in our holdings (such as women in science; LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities; the OHSU student experience; etc.)
We accept digital records as well!
Examples of items we generally cannot accept (but please contact us if you feel your item is exceptional):
- Furniture
- Human remains, medical specimens
- Microscope slides that do not come with proper documentation as to their creation and contents
- Published journals, articles, reprints, or photocopies
- Newspaper clippings (except from periodicals with unique or limited circulation)
- Plaques and awards (some exceptions, based on the award)
- Large research posters (digital versions happily accepted)
- Any toxic or radioactive substance, as well as items posing a strong preservation or environmental concern
For OHSU-created records bound by formal records retention policies, see Records Retention and Archiving Questions (OHSU network connection required). Contact University Archivist, Steve Duckworth, or the OHSU Legal Department to discuss options for permanent retention and to arrange a records transfer.
For OHSU-created records not bound by the official retention schedule, such as records of student organizations, faculty research, and more, please contact the University Archivist, Steve Duckworth, to discuss options.