Center for Oral History Research

The UCLA Center for Oral History Research (COHR) conducts in-depth, multi-session oral history interviews with individuals who have participated in the history of the Los Angeles metropolitan area and its many communities. COHR has particularly strong collections in the history of social movements, communities of color, the arts, Los Angeles politics and government, and the history of UCLA. For a complete list of the oral histories in COHR’s collection and access to a number of the transcripts and recordings, visit UCLA Center for Oral History Research.

For more information, please contact:

Jane Collings
Project Manager
 310.267.4754
 jcolling@library.ucla.edu

Current collecting priorities

Most of the oral histories in COHR’s collection are conducted by COHR staff or by interviewers hired to do specific individual projects. COHR does, however, accept donated oral histories if they meet the following criteria:

• Document historically significant phenomena connected to the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
• Follow standard oral history methodology and are conducted by trained, skilled interviewers.
• Are preserved as audio or video recordings that are clear and audible and that do not include significant background noise, feedback, or distortion.
• Are accompanied by legal agreements that transfer necessary rights and permissions.
• Are accompanied by transcripts or timed logs that can assist users in finding their way through the recordings.

In order to ensure that their oral histories meet these requirements, prospective donors are strongly encouraged to contact COHR Project Manager Jane Collings before beginning a project. Donors should also consider attending one of COHR’s introductory oral history workshops in order to familiarize themselves with oral history methodology and gain the necessary interviewing skills.

Out of scope

• Oral histories that do not focus primarily on Southern California

More About the Collection

For a complete list of the oral histories in COHR’s collection and access to a number of the transcripts and recordings, visit COHR’s website.