Creating and Preserving Oral Histories

This class covers the theory and best practices for oral histories, interview techniques, and selection of and set-up of recording equipment to ensure high quality recordings.

No sessions are currently scheduled for this event. To request a new session, please contact membersupport@lyrasis.org

Description:

Popularity of oral histories has been increasing since the mid 20^th century when they were used as a research tool to discover the stories of the people behind the labor and political movements of the time. The content of oral history interviews is grounded in reflections on the past as opposed to commentary on purely contemporary events. Oral history can refer to a method of recording and preserving oral testimony and to the product of that process. A successful oral history programs require goals, procedures, and training as well as a plan for access to the interview’s content. The class will also cover the selection and set-up of recording equipment to ensure high quality recordings.

Learning Outcomes

Develop procedures and documentation for an oral history project
Identify preservation challenges
Plan an Oral History Project
Use basic interview techniques
Select appropriate recording equipment

Instructor: Annie Peterson

Annie Peterson is a Program Leader at LYRASIS. She coordinates LYRASIS Learning and teaches classes on preservation, digitization, and other topics related to cultural heritage institutions. Before joining LYRASIS, Annie Peterson was the Preservation Librarian for the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library at Tulane University. Previously, she was an IMLS Preservation Administration Fellow at Yale University, where her primary focus was writing a disaster plan for the library’s high density storage facility. Her background in library and archives preservation provides a strong basis for assisting LYRASIS members with their preservation and digitization projects. She has an MLIS from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. In 2016 Annie was awarded the Esther J. Piercy Award from ALCTS, an award that is given to recognize the contribution to areas of librarianship included in library collections and technical service by a librarian who has shown outstanding promise for continuing contribution and leadership.

Intended Audience

This class is open to all interested.

Notes

Frequency: offered 3 times a year, Winter, Spring & Fall

Archival Recertification Credits - ARCs: 1
Information on Archival Recertification Credits

Registrations for this class must be received at least one week before the class date. Registrants should receive an email offering detailed login and setup instructions. Please call 800.999.8558 if you do not receive this email at least three days before the class. This class is designed for individual participation; each individual must register.

Time: All live online classes are in Eastern time.

Please see Technical Requirements for online classes and events.