Indigenous Collections
The Indigenous Collections held the Special Collections division of the J. Willard Marriott Library include documents, media, and objects detailing the history and culture of many indigenous groups in Utah and the Intermountain West. The Library and the University are dedicated to maintaining and preserving these archives and to making the manuscripts, interviews, recordings, and artifacts available to students, researchers, and members of local communities.
Access
Because many of these objects describe or depict moments of private life or cultural sensitivity, the Library has made the commitment to work with tribal leaders to create protocols for the access and use of several of the collections. Our efforts to determine appropriate access for indigenous collections is in progress and ongoing. Not all collections' access levels have been determined. Some material may be limited in availability to family members of their original donors or to members of a particular tribe, band, or linguistic group. In certain cases, state statute or federal law limits the availability of categories of documents, such as archaeological data and objects. This page provides information about the material housed at the Marriott Library and ways in which individuals or groups may request access to the collections or propose collaborations to identify needs and develop appropriate standards.
Categories
Follow the link to view a list of the many types of collections preserved at the Marriott Library, as well as strategies for researching in Special Collections.
Restrictions
Some culturally sensitive or personally private information will be available only to immediate families or community members. Certain collections will be restricted until consultation occurs with tribal leadership and until agreements are in place for access. Still other material can be accessed for personal research use through the Reading Room, but may not be available for reproduction (either via remote requests or by in-person activity).
FAQs
How can I request access to this collection?
Click the button below to fill out the online form to request access to Special Collections material.
You can choose an in-person appointment to view or listen to the materials in the George S. Eccles Reading Room at the Marriott Library, or you can request reproductions. Reproductions are sent directly to you in several forms including digital scans, links, and physical media. If you need a specific format to meet your technological parameters, please include that information in your request. Since some of these collections contain culturally sensitive or personally private information, please indicate in the request form whether you are a family member, community member, student, or researcher.
Is there an appeal process if a requested collection is determined to be restricted?
Yes, if a collection is restricted and you are not a family member or a member of the particular tribe, band, or linguistic group represented in the collection, you will need to provide a formal letter of resolution from the appropriate tribal governance body indicating that your request for access has been approved by tribal leadership.
Is there a process for proposing collaborations to identify additional resources or to discuss the development of access protocols?
Please reach out to the Special Collections standing committee working with these collections special@library.utah.edu. We would love to discuss the possibility of a collaboration to make the resources at the University of Utah more appropriately accessible.