Oral History at Texas State University Libraries

Texas State University Libraries Oral History Program:

The Special Collections and Archives (SC&A) department of Texas State University is charged with documenting and preserving the teaching, research, community service, administrative functions, student life and activities of the University through oral history.  In addition, SC&A collects oral histories pertaining to the local community history of San Marcos and the wider Central Texas region.

Scope:

The scope of this program includes oral histories from students, faculty, staff, alumni, administrators, and local community members, but it may also include sources from Round Rock and the Central Texas region. 

The interview questions are based on the individual’s experiences regarding university history experiences and will focus on the individual’s time in employment and/or academic careers. Community members and regional interviewees will provide valuable insights into historic events or experiences.

Goals:

1. To create primary sources on various historical topics.
2. To foster a spirit of knowledge sharing with university entities, community members, students, staff/faculty, and interested patrons.
3. To publicly share information recorded in oral histories with a wider public audience.

Priorities:

1. To capture information and experiences of aging sources.
2. To capture students, staff, faculty, alumni information and experiences.
3. To make oral histories publicly available for historical research by transcription, digital preservation, digital exhibits.
4. To collaborate with university and community entities to create and disseminate oral histories.