University Archives and Special Collections

Need Help Getting Started?

Are you new to research in the archives? You're not alone!

You can learn more about what "Archives" and "Special Collections" really are in this guide from the University of California Santa Cruz:

"Archival collections are the documentary evidence of the past."

To get started with your research at OU's archives, try some of the following strategies:

Use Library OneSearch

to discover materials on your subject, limiting your search to locations corresponding to Archives and Special Collections/ Then use the "Special Collections Request Form" link in any record to request it. This is particularly useful for books, newspapers, magazines, and other publications in our collections.

Search our database of collection inventories (called "finding aids")

to view the entire contents of collections. This is particularly useful for archival or manuscript collections (collections of unpublished, loose pages such as personal papers and, correspondence).

Search our digital collections:

• OUR@Oakland contains digitized materials from the Oakland University Archives, such as a full run of OU's student newspapers, OU newsletters, past course catalogs, and much more.
• Digital images -- including OU's photographic archive, Athletics photographs, and many special collections.

Browse frequently asked questions: