Community Oral History Toolkit

This second edition of Community Oral History Toolkit outlines the basics of oral history, how to design and manage projects, as well as guidelines on interviewing, archiving and giving back to the community.

Updating the original five-volumes into a one-volume publication, the book covers guidelines on thinking through legal needs and ethical issues, the interview process with information on standards, tips on in-person and distance interviewing, interview preparation, question-asking techniques, documenting interview information, and, moving to the final steps, guides for preservation and ongoing access of oral histories. The authors illustrate this work with examples of worldwide community-based oral history projects and individual profiles, while describing the project’s process and outcomes. It also includes sample forms for recordkeeping and updated technology guidelines, as well as resources for community oral historians to stay ahead of changes in the field. The final chapter takes an in-depth look at six community-based projects, each unique in their place and purpose, but all based in the scaffolding of the oral history process.

Community Oral History Toolkit will be of interest to oral history, anthropology, and sociology students, as well as practicing and professional historians.