Collection Development Policy

Through dynamic, recorded interviews, the Institute of Oral History preserves the stories of individuals who helped create the fabric of history and whose lives, in turn, were shaped by the people, places, events, and ideas of their day. The Institute for Oral History has recorded and preserved oral histories since 1970, earning along the way a strong reputation for multidisciplinary outreach to both academic scholars and community historians by providing professional leadership, educational tools, and research opportunities.

The Institute for Oral History currently conducts all interviews in a digital format. Former formats have included open reel and cassette tapes. 

Interviewees whose recollections best fit within one of our collections. 

Arts and Culture, Baylor University, Education, Family Life and Community History, Historic Preservation, Religion and Culture, Texas Baptist History, Texas Economic History, Texas Judicial History, Waco-McLennan County History, War and Society

• Video Recordings
• On a limited basis, we accept audio recordings for accession into our collection if they meet all of the following criteria: Each sound record must be:
  1) a recording of an oral history interview, preferably between two people;
  2) in playable condition and of a recording quality sufficiently clear for transcription;
  3) in a media format compatible with current Institute practice, which is in digital .wav format;
  4) on a topic that contributes to the existing collection of the Institute for Oral History;
  5) accompanied by a legal release signed by the interviewee;
  6) accompanied by a legal release signed by the interviewer, signing over all rights, title, and interest to Baylor University;
  7) accompanied by a completed Interview Data Form (available from the Institute);
  8) begun with a recorded introduction including name of interviewee, name of interviewer, date and location of interview; and
  9) conducted in accordance with the Oral History Association's "Principles and Best Practices for Oral History."

• Website: https://library.web.baylor.edu/oralhistory
• Email: BUIOH@baylor.edu
• Director: Stephen Sloan, stephen_sloan@baylor.edu
• Assistant Director: Adrienne Cain Darough, adrienne_cain@baylor.edu