As one of the oldest institutional oral history collections in the U.S., the Oral History Archives at Columbia (OHAC) offers a number of resources to help you understand the range of oral history methods and primary sources available to the Columbia community. This list is updated at the start of each academic year, so check back to learn what’s new.
Contextualizing oral history collections and methodological standardization at Columbia
DO BETTER: A Call to Re-Imagine Oral History – How can we truly listen? How can we ensure the stories we capture are both authentic and accessible? These are the questions driving the Oral History Archives at Columbia’s display, DO BETTER: Reflexively + Critically Encountering Oral History Methods. Download the exhibition’s content and explore the evolution of oral history, challenging its foundations and envisioning its future
Information for accessing oral history materials
The OHAC FAQ details how to search for materials, access them, make reading room appointments, order transcripts for research use, and citation guidelines.
Searching the Collection
Columbia University Libraries’ online catalog, CLIO, is searchable by keyword, subject, and name.
The OHAC search portal contains materials accessible online in the Digital Library Collection.
The Oral History Research Guide offers advice for researching and accessing oral histories in the OHAC Collections. Reference assistance can be accessed by emailing OHAC staff.
Browse oral history news and collections announcements on the Rare Book & Manuscript Library’s new site.
Guidance for designing and funding an oral history project
Researchers interested in using oral history methods for their own projects can self-enroll in OHAC’s Courseworks self-study space for additional resources and guidance.
The Oral History Association panel, “Who Funds Oral History?” featured program officers from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Mellon Foundation, and the Institute for Museum and Library Services with advice on grant opportunities and application advice. You can watch the recording here.