Special Collections & Archives

Introduction

The Special Collections and Archives department, which began in 1981, is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and making accessible for research, primary and secondary source materials that document the history of the University, Edmond and other Oklahoma communities. These resources are available for use by students, faculty, and scholars.

Located on the second floor of the Chambers Library, in room 215, the Special Collections and Archives encompasses materials that due to rarity, fragility, age, uniqueness, unusual format, monetary value, or subject emphasis, the library has elected to place in a secure, monitored, closed stack environment.

These materials include but are not limited to books and serials related to the history, literature, and culture of Oklahoma and the southwest, manuscripts, photographs, works of art, audio-visual materials, and the permanent historical records of the University of Central Oklahoma.

While the materials in the Special Collections and Archives do not circulate, they are available for consultation and research in the reading room of the department's facilities. For those unable to visit during our hours of service, other arrangements may be made by contacting the University Archivist.

You can browse a list of collections or search our collection guides using the search box below.

Contact Information

Use the information below to contact us directly. Forms for submitting research questions, using photos, and thesis digitization can be found on our Request Assistance page.

Phone:

405-974-2888

Fax:

405-974-3874

Email:

archives@uco.edu

Mailing Address:

University of Central Oklahoma
Special Collections & Archives
100 North University Drive
Campus Box 192, Room LIB215
Edmond, Oklahoma, 73034-5209

Sharing Our Heritage

Over the years, the holdings of the Special Collections and Archives have grown as the result of generous donations of rare and unique materials. The Special Collections and Archives continues to welcome such gifts in order to enhance the research value of its collections. This can best be accomplished by ensuring that materials offered to the department represent a good match with our collecting focus, as described below.
 

What the Library Collects

The Library especially seeks materials that match aspects of the following subject areas:

• Pre-Territorial and Territorial Oklahoma
• Oklahoma Native American Tribes
• Indigenous Peoples of Oklahoma
• Plains Indians
• The 89er Pioneers
• The Boomers
• The Dust Bowl
• Oklahoma Newspapers
• Edmond and Area Communities
• University of Central Oklahoma

For more information on the types of materials generally collected by the Special Collections & Archives, as well as general information on the gift process, please contact archives@uco.edu.

Inclusive Metadata Statement

Chambers Library is committed to accurately and respectfully describing materials relating to underrepresented communities. We are actively taking steps to improve access to our library resources, and you can help! Report any problematic language you find using the form below. Learn more about the library's Inclusive Metadata Initiative.

Report Offensive/Outdated Terminology