Knowledgeable staff members are available in all areas to assist researchers in the use of microfilm, card catalogs, census and enrollment books, and other finding aids. Tours are available by advanced request. The collections contain 3.5 million documents representing 66 of the 67 native tribes that resided in Indian Territory. The Photographic section contains more than 300,000 images that range from the late 1850's to the present with many subjects represented. The Newspaper collection contains 28,000 reels of microfilm on state newspapers from 1844 to the present.
Some indexing is available.
Newspapers often are a good source for marriage and death notices. Extensive indices are provided by the name and subject. These represent unpublished collections of public and private papers, scrapbooks, business records, collections of scholars, and more. Guides to collections and limited indices are available. The Library contains over 62,000 volumes with emphasis on Oklahoma, Native American, and western history.