This list contains more than 1000 interviews. In some cases, the transcript may be used only with the written permission of the person interviewed. It is the researcher's responsibility to obtain permission directly from the donor to see a "permission required" interview. The staff of the Kennedy Library does not act as an agent or intermediary to obtain permission. The oral history permission request form may be used in order to request permission from a donor. Addresses of most donors can be found in a current edition of
Who's Who in America
or other such biographical directories. Library staff can provide current addresses for many donors who are not listed in these sources. Name and subject indexes to open interviews are available in the main research room. Most open interviews may also be borrowed through the library's interlibrary loan service.
Researchers may listen to open interview tapes if a reference copy is available. Tapes are retained for background purposes, so that the researcher may better understand the personality of the interviewee and the atmosphere of the interview. Use of the tapes must follow any restrictions placed by the donating interviewee in his or her deed of gift.
Unless specific restrictions are included in the foreword to an interview transcript, researchers may quote, paraphrase, or cite the transcript in publications. The preferred form of citation is listed on our conducting research page.
Direct quotations from transcripts in which the donor has retained copyright are limited to brief portions allowable under the doctrine of "fair use" written into the copyright law of the United States, sections 107 and 108. Permission to quote more extensive portions of these transcripts, or to publish entire transcripts must be obtained from the donor or his heirs.
Unless specifically prohibited by donor restrictions, the library provides copies of transcripts or portions of transcripts at fees set by the
National Archives and Records Administration
.
Researchers who use the oral history collection or other library holdings are encouraged to donate books, articles, research papers, dissertations, theses, and other products of research to the library to make its printed materials collections as definitive as possible. The library also welcomes the donation or deposit of tapes or transcripts of interviews conducted by researchers with associates of President Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, or others who have participated in the political and historical events of mid-20th-century America.
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