Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is involved in an oral history interview?
Simply put, an oral history interview is a recorded dialogue between a trained interviewer and an interviewee who has done or witnessed something historic. All interviews recorded for the UNT Oral History Program are archived in UNT Special Collections and Digital Libraries on UNT's main campus in Denton, and nearly all interviews are transcribed.
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. One complimentary hardbound transcript is sent to the Interviewee and one is archived by the Oral History Program.
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 record that person'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 fill out the Contact Us form or call the Oral History Office at (940) 565-2549 in order to coordinate such requests.
Q. How do I order a copy?
Interview transcripts of the UNT Oral History Collection cannot be loaned. Use the COLLECTION tab 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. The vast majority of the interviews are open for use and available as pdf or bound versions for a fee.
To order online: 2 Step E-process: must receive BOTH order form and payment. To purchase a copy of a transcript, fill out and submit online webform and make payment:
Mail-in or email option: Print paper copy of order form to mail with check or email saved copy as attachment and make online payment using: QuikPay .
To contact the Oral History Program for options to visit our office in person or for any questions, please email: oralhistory@unt.edu.
The UNT Oral History Collection database is a work in progress and we regularly add new interviews.
Q. Can I borrow a UNT oral history transcript through interlibrary loan?
Unfortunately, the UNT Oral History Program cannot loan its oral histories.
Q. How can I access the oral histories in your collection?
The oral histories in the UNT oral history collection can be accessed by contacting the Oral History Program or personally visiting the UNT Libraries Special Collections on the 4th Floor of Willis Library. If you have a UNT EUID and the transcript you are interested in has been digitized, you may be able to download it directly from the UNT Digital Library. Paper copies, hardbound volumes and PDFs can be ordered for non-UNT researchers (see above for details).
Q. How do I get to Special Collections in Willis Library?
Visit the Willis Library Hours, Locations, Directions page.
Q. Who do I contact with research questions?
For questions concerning specific matters of content of the Oral History Collection, please contact the OHP oralhistory@unt.edu or call (940) 565-2549.
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