Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I know someone who wants to be interviewed about their experiences. Will you interview them?
Q. What is involved in an oral history interview?
Q. How can I access the oral histories in your collection?
Q. Can I borrow a UNT oral history transcript through interlibrary loan?
Q. When are the UNT Archives open?
Q. What are the WILLIS LIBRARY HOURS?
Q. How do I get to the UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES in WILLIS LIBRARY?
Q. Who do I contact with RESEARCH QUESTIONS?
Q. How do I order a copy to be delivered by mail?
Q. I know someone who wants to be interviewed about their experiences. Will you interview them?
The UNT Oral History Program is devoted to capturing the history of North Texas. To the extent the individual’s experiences match our research interests and resources are available, we will attempt to gather that individual’s oral history. We are, however, limited in resources and may be unable to respond at the time the request is first received. It is always a good idea to call the Oral History Office at (940) 565 2549 in order to coordinate such requests.
Q. What is involved in an oral history interview?
Once an interview is arranged between the Oral History Program and an Interviewee, an interviewer is assigned to the project. The interviewer performs background research prior to the interview and develops an interview outline. The Oral History Program office creates a donor agreement for the Interviewee outlining both the Interviewee’s and University’s rights and responsibilities as part of the interview process. The interview takes place in a quiet, comfortable setting agreed upon by both the Interviewee and interviewer. The interview is recorded and then returned to the Oral History Program office for transcription. After the transcription is complete, it is edited twice by the Oral History Program and once by the Interviewee. Finally, after incorporating any changes or comments suggested by the Interviewee, the document is sent for binding. Of the three hardbound transcripts resulting from the process, one is sent to the Interviewee, one to the University Archives for public research purposes, and one is archived by the Oral History Program.
Q. How can I access the oral histories in your collection?
The oral histories in the UNT oral history collection can be accessed by personally visiting the University Archives at UNT, or by ordering a photocopy delivered by mail.
Q. How do I order a copy to be delivered by mail?
Use the online catalog at this site (The Collection) to locate the transcript(s) you are interested in. Note the Oral History (OH) volume numbers as well as the names of the interviewees of the transcripts you wish to order. Use the PDF order form for our standard order form and directions. Enclose payment with the completed order form and mail to:
University of North TexasOral History Program
1155 Union Circle #305430
Denton, TX 76203-5017
Q. Can I borrow a UNT oral history transcript through interlibrary loan?
The UNT Oral History Program does not loan its oral histories.
Q. When are the UNT Archives open?
Visit the UNT Archives page.
Q. What are the WILLIS LIBRARY HOURS?
Visit the LIBRARY HOURS page.
Q. How do I get to the UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES in WILLIS LIBRARY?
Visit the WILLIS LIBRARY DIRECTIONS page.
Q. Who do I contact with RESEARCH QUESTIONS?
For questions concerning the University Archives collection in general, or use of the transcripts in the archives, contact Michelle Mears at (940) 565 2766 or e-mail to: mmears@library.unt.edu
For questions concerning specific matters of content of the Oral History Collection, please contact the OHP at (940) 565-2549.
