The University of Oklahoma is home to a variety of special facilities and resources that contribute to the OU difference and enhance the opportunities available to OU students to achieve academic excellence.
401 W. Brooks St. Norman, OK 73019
Phone: (405) 325-4142
Internet: http://libraries.ou.edu
University of Oklahoma Libraries (http://libraries.ou.edu)
The University of Oklahoma Libraries in Norman, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa are a major resource for students and faculty at the university. The research library facilities on the Norman campus include the main library and separate branch libraries for architecture, chemistry-mathematics, fine arts, engineering, geology, and physics-astronomy. The OU Law Center also has a separate library, the Donald E. Pray Law Library, (http://jay.law.ou.edu/library/) in its facility. The Library at the OU Health Sciences Center, the Robert M. Bird Health Sciences Library, (http://library.ouhsc.edu/) supports teaching and research in medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and health-related disciplines. The OU-Tulsa Library supports students enrolled in Tulsa-based programs (http://tulsa.ou.edu/library/index.htm).
Bizzell Memorial Library, the main library on the Norman campus, consists of an original building constructed in 1929 and a large addition completed in 1958. The 1929 building was recently declared a National Historic Landmark and contains the Peggy V. Helmerich Great Reading Room, an elegant room beloved by students and alumni. The Doris W. Neustadt Wing was built in 1982 and added 150,000 square feet to the library facility. The library includes numerous study areas and comfortable reading lounges, as well as the popular Bookmark Coffee Shop, and the Oklahoma Canyon Garden, which offers an outdoor area for reflection and study.
The collections in the libraries total more than 4.8 million volumes and 45,000 print and electronic serials. Many online resources are also available including more than 200 databases and more than 270,000 electronic books. The libraries also contain more than 2.7 million federal, state, and international government publications, over three million pieces of microforms, many maps, manuscripts, and audiovisual materials.
In addition to the general collections, there are four notable special collections.
History of Science Collections
The Collections’ invaluable holdings of 90,000 volumes, including 55 books published before 1500, feature first editions of works important for the history of science from the invention of printing, along with later editions, translations, early scientific journals and modern secondary sources and scholarly journals necessary to support a wide variety of research and scholarship in the history of science.
Western History Collections
The Western History Collections acquire materials on Oklahoma and western history, North American Indians, the settlement of the West and related topics. The Manuscripts Division has extensive holdings of photographs, microforms, oral history, maps and the University Archives. Holdings include 75,000 books, over 12,000 cubic feet of manuscripts and 1,000,000 photographs.
Bass Business History Collections
This special collection of over 24,000 volumes, additional archival materials, and reports provides research resources on the role of business, industry and labor in American life.
The John and Mary Nichols Rare Books and Special Collections
These collections are comprised of rare books and special materials in English, European, and American literatures dating from the 15th century to the present. A collection of general rare books, and a Bible collection complement the focal literature collections. The materials offer opportunities for interdisciplinary research in such fields as literary studies, the history of printing, and religion.
The University Libraries include six branch libraries:
Library Catalog and Web site (http://libraries.ou.edu)
The University of Oklahoma Libraries offer a wealth of electronic, print and nonprint resources. Students may access many library resources through the Libraries’ Web site, http://libraries.ou.edu, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The library catalog and Library Online Resource Access (LORA) provide access to databases, books, e-journals, high-quality Web sites, government documents, and e-reference materials.
Circulation and Interlibrary Loan
Most library materials are available for loan to students and faculty. Loan policies are available at the circulation desks in the library facilities and on the libraries’ home pages. Materials not held by the libraries may be obtained through interlibrary loan services on all three campuses. Delivery on-campus is available via Sooner Xpress.
Reference Services
Reference and information service is available in all library facilities, in person, by telephone, and by e-mail. Individuals may visit the reference desk at their convenience for assistance with questions, assignments or specific databases. They may also arrange an appointment with a librarian to discuss library resources and research questions. Questions may be sent electronically to e-mail a librarian at librarian@ou.edu.
Library Instruction
The libraries provide instructional services to teach students and faculty how to access, evaluate, and use a variety of information sources. These services range from general orientation activities to classroom instruction designed to meet specific research needs.
Online Tutorials
Online tutorials are available at http://libraries.ou.edu/help/tutorials/ to help students learn how to evaluate and understand scholarly information, search LORA and electronic databases, search the catalog and request books and other materials through interlibrary loan.
Government Documents
State, federal and foreign government publications are collected and made available through the Government Documents unit. Reference services and instructional sessions specific to government documents are available upon request.
Current Periodicals Room
The Current Periodicals Room houses the current issues of journals and newspapers. It is also home to older issues of journals, magazines, and special collections that have been stored on microform. Reader-printers are available for viewing these materials including a self-service microfilm digital scanner. The audiovisual area is also in this room, and includes disks, cassettes, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and videos. Laptop computers are available for OU students, faculty, and staff to check out from the service desk in this department. Computers are available for library research in the Michael F. Price Electronic Resource Area.
Digitizing and Copying Center
The University Libraries provides self-service photocopiers throughout its facilities. Patrons can request items to be copied, scanned, faxed, or e-delivered at the Digitizing and Copying Center located on Lower Level One of Bizzell Memorial Library.
Student Computer Lab
OU Information Technology offers a Student Computer Lab in Bizzell Memorial Library. The student computer lab features personal computers, printers, and scanners readily available for you to use. All computer labs have laser printing available. The student computer lab has a dedicated (Americans with Disabilities Act) ADA workstations with scanners and supporting software. For more information about the student computer labs, check https://webapps.ou.edu/it/students/services.cfm#labs.
111 E. Chesapeake St., Norman, OK 73019-5111
Phone: (405) 325-7211
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/cas/archsur/
Established in 1970, the Oklahoma Archeological Survey is a state agency with regulatory authority, as well as a unit of the College of Arts and Sciences. The Survey’s enabling legislation charges the Survey with three basic mandates: 1) to conduct research on Oklahoma’s prehistoric and early historic archaeological record, 2) to work with the citizens of Oklahoma to preserve significant archaeological resources, and 3) to disseminate information on our activities through publications, public presentations and other means of outreach. The Archeological Survey has two divisions: Organized Research and the Community Assistance Program. The Survey also serves as the centralized repository for records on archaeological sites in the state (currently holding information on some 19,000 locations). Personnel of the Archeological Survey consists of seven research faculty, along with graduate and undergraduate students, and volunteers who perform a wide range of research, managerial, and educational activities. The Survey faculty also teach classes through the Department of Anthropology.
HC 71, Box 205 Kingston, OK 73439-9738
Phone: (405) 325-7431, or (580) 564-2478
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/uobs/
The University of Oklahoma Biological Station is a permanent field station located on the north shore of Lake Texoma, approximately 125 miles from Norman, and is subject to all rules and regulations that govern the University of Oklahoma. The station’s primary mission is to promote research and education in ecology and field biology. Our facilities are open to students and scientists world-wide for research and study, and the Biological Station participates significantly in ecological and evolutionary research at national and international levels.
Primary academic goals include biological instruction, experimentation, and exploration as it relates to the University of Oklahoma student. However, the scientific and study programs have been enlarged to incorporate four main operational endeavors. They are:
1. the constant updating of curriculum necessary for quantitative and experimental
courses for graduate and undergraduate students;
2. year-round ecological research by resident faculty and/or collaborating
investigators from other institutions;
3. providing a base for sabbatical/short-term study by the international
research community and;
4. providing an ideal meeting site for academic and/or other educational
non-profit institutions.
The Biological Station does not offer a degree program, although credit obtained is directly applicable toward the requirements of the degree-recommending colleges of the University. Scholarships, graduate assistantships, work-study assistance, and independent study are also available. Inquiries should be sent to the director. The Biological Station's major instructional emphasis is on two-week courses offered in May and August at the Station. Field-research participation is also available for undergraduate and graduate students, including grade school, high school, and college teachers.
111 E. Chesapeake St., Norman, OK 73019-5111
Phone: (405) 325-4034
Internet: http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/
The Oklahoma Biological Survey, established in 1927, is both a research unit of the College of Arts and Sciences and a state agency recognized through 1987 legislation. The mission of the Survey is to scientifically investigate the diversity of plants and animals in Oklahoma and associated regions and to contribute to conservation and education concerning these important resources. The Survey includes: (1) the General Biological Survey program; (2) the Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory; (3) the Bebb Herbarium jointly operated with the Department of Botany and Microbiology; (4) the Oklahoma Fishery Research Laboratory jointly operated with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; and (5) the Sutton Avian Research Center, a bird conservation center located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Personnel in the Survey include faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduates who engage in a wide range of research, teaching and service activities.
630 Parrington Oval, Room 101 Norman, OK 73019-4031
Phone: (405) 325-6372
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/special/albertctr/cachome.html
The Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center has as its mission advancing scholarship, learning, and service to strengthen representative democracy. The Congressional Archives at the Carl Albert Center contain the papers of Carl Albert, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the papers of over 50 members of Congress and some congressional staff, scholars and journalists. The archives serve researchers on the OU campus and throughout the world. In cooperation with the Department of Political Science, the Center sponsors a unique five-year graduate program leading to a doctoral degree in political science with special emphasis on Congress and representative government. The program offers graduate students a dual perspective on the workings of Congress by affording them opportunities to study the institution both on-campus and in Washington, D.C. as a congressional staff member. The Center also offers research fellowships to a select group of undergraduate students who participate with political science faculty members in collaborative research projects. In seeking to foster a wider understanding and appreciation of Congress through civic education, the Carl Albert Center sponsors the biennial Julian J. Rothbaum Distinguished Lecture in Representative Government, which is among the most distinguished lecture series of its kind and has resulted in a book series published by The University of Oklahoma Press. The Center created a series of traveling exhibits on Congress that toured the state and were subsequently reproduced as poster sets for public schools and libraries.
Twice each year the Center publishes a journal, Extensions, as a forum for discussion of representative government. As a participating partner in the National Education for Women's Leadership Development Network, the Carl Albert Center sponsors an annual 5-day N.E.W. Leadership institute to educate, empower, and inspire a select number of undergraduate women throughout the State of Oklahoma for active participation in politics and public service. The Center also sponsors for undergraduate students the Capitol and Community Scholars programs, which are intensive academic and internship experiences at the State Capitol and in the local government and non-profit community. Students and researchers interested in learning more about these various opportunities may contact the center through their web site: http://vvww.ou.edu/special/albertctr/cachome.html. The Center reports directly to the Senior Vice President and Provost.
One Partners Place
350 David L. Boren Blvd, Suite 1510 Norman, OK 73072-7264
Phone: (405) 325-2959, (405) 325-3800
Internet: http://ccew.ou.edu
The objectives of the University of Oklahoma Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth are: (1) broaden exposure to the entrepreneurial process, (2) give interested students the opportunity to engage in real-world business enterprise, (3) accelerate moving OU technology into the marketplace, and (4) strengthen wealth development in Oklahoma and the nation.
Administered by the university vice president for Technology Development, the CCEW operates alongside the Office of Technology Development. It offers opportunities for practical experience to promote the entrepreneurial spirit and assist in developing Oklahoma’s economy. The CCEW welcomed its first class of entrepreneurial-minded interns in fall 2006.
120 David L. Boren Blvd., Suite 2900 Norman, OK 73072-7305
Phone: (405) 325-2541
Internet: http://www.ocs.ou.edu/
The Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS) provides climatological services to the people of Oklahoma, serves as a support facility for the State Climatologist, and is a research unit of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. OCS has a legislative mandate to acquire, process, and disseminate climate and weather data and information for use by the state’s citizens. In addition, the Survey maintains an extensive array of climatological information, conducts research on both land-air interactions and applied climatology, educates hundreds of Oklahoma decision-makers annually, and operates the Oklahoma Mesonet, Oklahoma’s weather network. OCS is located in the National Weather Center, part of the new Norman Research Campus.
100 East Boyd St., Suite N131 Norman, OK 73019
Phone: (405) 325-3031
Internet: http://www.ogs.ou.edu/
The Oklahoma Geological Survey was created by directive of the State Constitution written in 1907. An enabling act was presented to Oklahoma’s first legislature and signed into law by Gov. Charles N. Haskell on May 29, 1908.The duties of the agency are to investigate the land, water, mineral, and energy resources of the State and disseminate the results of those investigations to promote the wise use of Oklahoma’s natural resources consistent with sound environmental practices. OGS is housed in the College of Earth and Energy.
2800 Venture Dr., Norman, OK 73069-8216
Phone: (405) 325-2000
Internet: http://www.oupress.com
The University of Oklahoma Press, the award-winning book-publishing division of the university, won more than 130 honors for the content of its books from 1988 to 1998.
The press has been in continuous operation since publishing its first book in 1929. It has published more that 1,950 titles, of which about 950 are now in print. The press publishes 100-plus new titles a year on subjects ranging from anthropology to women’s studies, with special strengths in the history of the American West, American Indian studies, Mesoamerican studies, Greek and Latin classics, natural history, and political science. The press recently inaugurated the Plains Reprints series, bringing back into print books of quality that have been out of print.
You are invited to visit the Press’s website: www.oupress.com to browse or purchase books. When you are on the Norman campus, you may stop by the press lobby at 2800 Venture Drive, at any time to browse or purchase. You will see a variety of topics, including Shannon Miller, America’s foreign policy, and America’s national historic trails. Complete title listings and new releases also are found in general and seasonal catalogs that can be requested by writing to the: University of Oklahoma Press, 2800 Venture Dr., Norman, OK 73069-8216.
401 W. Brooks St., Norman, OK 73019
Phone: (405) 325-6702
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/variorum/
As a unit of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Variorum Chaucer project has a twofold mission: 1) to provide an analysis of the textual history of Chaucer's individual works; 2) to offer a comprehensive overview of all facets of critical commentary on each work. Textual analysis begins with collation, a careful word-by-word comparison of important manuscripts and printed editions of the work in question; in most cases some thirty or so copies are examined. The process allows one to see how copyists and editors, from the 15th century to the late 20th century, understood, revised, presented, and explained the language of Chaucer's works. The survey of criticism seeks to provide a historical survey of all commentary on each aspect of a given work: sources and analogues, date, relationship with other Chaucerian works, all relevant thematic considerations, and individual passages, phrases, and words.
September 2006