Oral History Resources & Standards

Professional Organizations & Guidelines

• Oral History Association
  • Best Practices Guidelines: https://www.oralhistory.org/best-practices/
  • Technology Resources: https://www.oralhistory.org/technology-resources/
  • Remote Interviewing Guidelines: https://www.oralhistory.org/remote-interviewing-resources/
  • Ethics Guide: https://www.oralhistory.org/oha-statement-on-ethics/
• Regional Oral History Office (UC Berkeley)
  • Advanced Oral History Methods: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bancroft-library/oral-history-center/advanced-institute
  • Interview Guidelines: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bancroft-library/oral-history-center/recording-guidelines
  • Legal/Ethical Requirements: https://www.lib.berkeley.edu/libraries/bancroft-library/oral-history-center/legal-ethical
• Columbia Center for Oral History Research
  • Methodology Guide: https://www.ccohr.incite.columbia.edu/methodology
  • Interview Techniques: https://www.ccohr.incite.columbia.edu/interview-workshops
  • Archival Standards: https://library.columbia.edu/libraries/ccoh/oral-history-archives.html

Technical Specifications for Oral History

• Recording Standards
  • Minnesota Historical Society Standards: https://www.mnhs.org/preserve/records/oral_history.php
  • Library of Congress Guidelines: https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-plan/
  • National Archives Preservation Guidelines: https://www.archives.gov/preservation/products/definitions/oral-history.html
• Equipment Recommendations
  • Digital Omnium: https://digitalomnium.com
  • Baylor University Institute: https://www.baylor.edu/oralhistory/index.php?id=931238
  • Smithsonian Folklife Recording Equipment Guide: https://folklife.si.edu/resources/pdf/recording_equipment.pdf
  • Vermont Folklife Center Audio Guide: https://www.vermontfolklifecenter.org/fieldwork-guides

Documentation & Release Forms

• Sample Forms & Templates
  • Smithsonian Forms: https://siarchives.si.edu/services/oral-history
  • Southern Oral History Program: https://sohp.org/research/resources/
  • UK Oral History Society: https://www.ohs.org.uk/advice/ethical-and-legal/

Digital Preservation

• Best Practices
  • MATRIX Digital Humanities Center: https://ohda.matrix.msu.edu/
  • Digital Preservation Coalition: https://www.dpconline.org/handbook
  • Northeast Document Conservation Center: https://www.nedcc.org/audio-preservation
• Archival Standards
  • InterPARES Trust Project: https://interparestrust.org/
  • Digital Preservation Network: https://dpn.org/
  • International Association of Sound Archives: https://www.iasa-web.org/tc04/audio-preservation

Specialized Software for Oral History

• Transcription & Analysis & Collection Management
  • OHMS (Oral History Metadata Synchronizer): https://www.oralhistoryonline.org/
  • Stories Matter Software: http://storytelling.concordia.ca/storiesmatter/
  • Transana: https://www.transana.com/
  • Oral History in the Digital Age: http://ohda.matrix.msu.edu/
  • Collection Management Tools: https://www.oclc.org/en/contentdm.html
  • Mukurtu CMS (for indigenous communities): https://mukurtu.org/
  • Transkribus https://www.transkribus.org/

Training Resources

• Courses & Workshops
  • Oral History Summer School: https://www.oralhistorysummerschool.com/
  • British Library Training: https://www.bl.uk/subjects/oral-history
  • Smithsonian Folklife Workshops: https://folklife.si.edu/education-workshops
• Online Learning
  • Baylor Introduction to Oral History: https://www.baylor.edu/oralhistory/index.php?id=931234
  • Kentucky Historical Society Methods: https://history.ky.gov/resources/oral-history-resources/
  • Oxford Brooks University Guide: https://www.brookes.ac.uk/library/special-collections/oral-history/

Special Considerations

• Community Engagement
  • StoryCorps DIY: https://storycorps.org/participate/storycorps-diy/
  • Groundswell Oral History for Social Change: https://www.oralhistoryforsocialchange.org/
  • Voice of Witness: https://voiceofwitness.org/education/
• Cultural Sensitivity
  • First Peoples’ Cultural Council: http://www.fpcc.ca/language/toolkit/
  • Protocols for Native American Archival Materials: http://www2.nau.edu/libnap-p/
  • Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies: https://aiatsis.gov.au/research/ethical-research

Project Planning Resources

• Budgeting Tools
  • NEH Grant Guidelines: https://www.neh.gov/grants/preservation/preservation-and-access-research-and-development
  • Oral History Grant Writing Guide: https://www.oralhistory.org/grant-opportunities/
  • Cost Calculator Templates: https://www.archives.gov/preservation/products/estimator.html
• Timeline Planning
  • Project Management Templates: https://www.oralhistory.org/project-planning/
  • Work Plan Examples: https://www.baylor.edu/oralhistory/index.php?id=931236
  • Quality Control Checklists: https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-plan/tools-and-resources/

Legal & Ethical Resources

• Copyright Guidelines
  • SAA Oral History Section: https://www2.archivists.org/groups/oral-history-section
  • Copyright Office Circular 56: https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ56.pdf
  • WIPO Traditional Knowledge Guidelines: https://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/
• IRB Considerations
  • Oral History and IRB Review: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/guidance/
  • University IRB Guidelines: https://research.columbia.edu/irb-oral-history
  • Ethics Case Studies: https://www.oralhistory.org/ethics-case-studies/

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