|
|
|
Oral history can be an effective form of outreach as well as a means of enhancing our collection of historical resource materials. Adherence to professional standards will reflect well on the Center; on the other hand, slipshod interviews by ill-prepared interviewers could damage the institution's reputation for years to come. The following policy, adopted by the Center of Southwest Studies on July 21, 1995, applies for any interview(s) done on behalf of the Center of Southwest Studies and/or using its equipment.
1. The interview topic or interview subject must fall within the scope of the Center's collection policy.
2. The interviewer should have at least minimal training in oral history techniques--i.e., should have taken SW 341 (oral history) or a similar course, or demonstrate the same level of competence as a person in that course.
3. The interviewer must follow the procedures as listed on the Center's Oral History Interview Guidelines (form SW-8).
4. The interviewer must complete adequate research before conducting an interview. This starts with checking with the Center staff to see whether the target narrator/interviewee has been interviewed before. The Center has a comprehensive database of all interviews conducted on behalf of the Center.
5. If Center equipment is used, the interview products (including tape(s), transcript(s), completed forms and corollary materials, listed on (form SW-41) belong to the Center and must be presented to the Archivist for accessioning, arrangement and description. Tapes used must meet the Center's quality standards. Center equipment may be checked out for up to one week (subject to availability); the borrower will be liable for its return in the same condition as when received--the same as with any other checked out library materials.
6. The interviewer must submit along with the interview products a completed interview abstract for each interview conducted (form SW-21).
7. The Center will transcribe tapes as time and finances allow (form SW-30), and in prioritized order to reflect the Center's mission, with interviews of individuals associated with Fort Lewis College receiving highest priority.
To the
Center of Southwest Studies main page
To
Tools for Oral History page
Page last modified: Sept. 7, 2001