Using the Library

The Collections Online Catalog contains electronic records for most of the Research Library's books and serials and a portion of the library's manuscripts, photographs, maps, oral histories and other special format items. A number of additional items in the library's collections are indexed in the Research Library's card catalog, which is located in the library reading room.

Items themselves are not available online, although sample watermarked images are attached to some catalog entries.

How to search the Collections Online Catalog

Because so many of the items at the OHS Research Library are unique, we take special precautions to ensure that our collections will be available to many generations of users. For that reason, library stacks are closed to visitors and library materials must stay in the main reading room at all times.

To request materials, fill out a separate call slip for each collection or call number, then bring the call slip(s)--maximum of five at one time--to the reference staff for paging. Be sure to write the entire collection or call number down on the slip. Researchers may view one folder from our specials collections (vertical files, manuscripts, photographs, maps, etc.) at a time.

Please return all library materials to the reference staff when you have completed your research. Call slips will be checked to make sure that all items have been returned. Requests for materials or photocopies must be made by 4:30 P.M., and all copies must be paid for by 4:45 P.M. For security reasons, the reading room closes promptly at 5:00 P.M.

Due to limited storage at our downtown location, a number of items and collections are stored off-site in a remote location.

To be certain the collection you want to see will be available, contact staff ahead of time.

Phone: 503-306-5240 (voicemail)
Fax: 503-219-2040
Email: libreference@ohs.org

Patrons needing access to large collections stored off-site may need to make special arrangements to view materials.