Anne and Henry Zarrow Library and Hardesty Archival Center

Where are the library and archive located? 
The Anne and Henry Zarrow Library and Hardesty Archival Center are located inside the Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR), on the grounds of the Thomas Gilcrease Institute for American History and Art, known as the Gilcrease Museum. During the Gilcrease Museum construction project, the main entrance to HCAR is not accessible. To access HCAR, the address 2501 W. Newton works best for navigation. Once you turn onto Newton, turn right at the top of the hill entering the museum campus. Parking is available north of HCAR next to the museum, and you will enter on the east side of the building near the Sequoyah statue.  

Using the Library and Archive 

Making an appointment 
The library and archive are open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, by appointment only. Appointments may be made by submitting the online Request to Conduct Research Form. 

Arrival 
At the time of your appointment, please enter through the east-side entrance to HCAR (near the Sequoyah statue). Please bring a government- (tribal, state, or federal) or university-issued photo ID to show upon arrival when you sign in at the reception desk. Lockers are available for you to store your bags and other personal items that may not be brought into the reading room. All food items and liquids will need to be stored in the break room. Staff will help orient you to the building on your first visit. 

Departure 
You will turn in your locker key and sign out at the reception desk with our guest services receptionist. For the security of our collections, staff will check your bag before your departure. 

Maxine and Jack Zarrow Reading Room 

The Maxine and Jack Zarrow Reading Room is the space where you can engage with library and archival materials. Please refer to the previous section on “Using the Library and Archive” for how to reserve an appointment in the reading room.  

What can I bring? 
You may bring pencils, notebooks or loose paper, a laptop, and a phone into the reading room. Paper and pencils will also be provided. You may also bring reference books to assist your research. Reading room staff will review any materials you bring into the reading room, and materials may also be subject to search before your departure. Please set your phone to silent and/or use headphones so as not to disturb other researchers and staff. You may not bring laptop/tablet covers or cases, ink pens, highlighters/markers, food, or drinks into the reading room. There are water fountains in the hallway and a break room in the northwest corner of the building. 

How do I connect to the internet? 
You may connect to the WiFi using the network named “TUvisitor.” Once you select the network, you will be directed to a browser site for the University of Tulsa and asked to type your name and email address and accept the terms of use. 

How do I request library and archival materials to view for my visit? 
All library and archival materials must be used within the reading room. Please send your requests for collection items to view via email to hcarlibrary@utulsa.edu as early as possible and no later than one week prior to your appointment. The Archive/Library Collection can be viewed on our website, and the rare books and research library can be searched via The University of Tulsa’s Library Catalog. If you need assistance determining what to request, please contact the Reference and Outreach Librarian at 918-631-6449 or hcarlibrary@utulsa.edu  

Please note that an item’s physical condition, availability, and cultural sensitivity may affect access to an item, image, and associated information. These factors can take time to determine, and the earlier you submit your requests, the smoother your research experience will be. If you discover additional items you would like to view during your visit, please let reading room staff know. Staff may be able to pull these additional items for you if item accessibility and staff availability permit. 

How do I handle the materials? 
Clean, dry hands are best for handling most paper-based archival materials. Please wash and dry your hands in the restrooms down the hall before entering the reading room. Nitrile or cotton gloves will be provided for photographic and other fragile materials as needed. For your first visit, staff will review handling procedures. Failure to comply could result in termination of research privileges.

Digital Images of Archive and Library Materials

Is digital photography allowed in the reading room? 
Yes. However, no flash photography is allowed in the reading room. 

Can I use my own images for publication? 
Reproduction is permitted only from materials supplied by the Gilcrease Museum’s Department of Rights and Reproductions. Please see our Reproduction Policy for more information:

How do I obtain permission from Gilcrease Museum to reproduce images of collection items? 
Please submit the online Rights and Reproduction Request Form., and the Rights and Reproduction Coordinator will get back to you. It is the researcher’s responsibility to obtain necessary permissions for materials for which the Museum does not own the copyright or for which other restrictions may apply.  

How do I obtain access to images of collection items for research purposes only? 
Please contact the Reference and Outreach Librarian at hcarlibrary@utulsa.edu or 918-631-6449 about accessing images of collection items remotely for research purposes.  

Please note: During the construction phase of the museum, there may be a significant delay on any new photography. If no images exist for the collection item(s) requested, this may impact your ability to obtain high-resolution images of archival materials.  

Post Visit Communication

Research Visit Survey 
Shortly after your visit, you will receive an emailed survey requesting feedback about your research experience at HCAR. Thank you in advance for submitting this survey within two weeks so that we can learn more about your experience and make improvements as needed. 

Publications Request 
Please send us citations to any publications generated from your research at HCAR so that we can better measure the research impact of our collections.  (Copies of publication are welcome but not required.) 

Citation Guidelines 

Please use the following template for citations of library and archival materials quoted or referenced in your publications: 

[Item title], [Accession no.], [Box/Folder info], [Collection title], Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Example: 

Ethan Allen Hitchcock, Diary 11, January – September 1839, 3626.305, Box 1, Ethan Allen Hitchcock Manuscript Collection, Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Contact Information 

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