In this participatory workshop, you will learn how to prepare, conduct, record and document an oral history interview, and how to develop and manage an oral history project. You will learn and practice essential interview techniques and discuss important ethical issues, including issues related to preservation and access. The workshop will focus on the context and needs of staff working in Victorian public libraries. During the day, participants will conduct practice interviews with each other.

Aims: This workshop is open to Local Studies SIG members or library staff working in the areas of local studies and family history. This will be a small group-focused workshop of benefit to library workers interested in building and diversifying their collections through oral histories. We encourage people who have attended Local Studies SIG meetings or are interested in being part of a community of practice to participate in oral history collecting for their library to participate. To provide the opportunity for as many library services as possible to attend tickets are currently limited to one per library service.

A timetable and a resource pack will be provided to participants prior to the day.

Trainer profile:

Alistair Thomson: national award-winning teacher and Emeritus Professor of History (Monash University), Al taught his first oral history workshop in 1985 at the Wangaratta Centre for Continuing Education and has been teaching oral history in both community and academic settings ever since. Al is currently President of Oral History Australia and is a member of the Oral History Victoria training team. His oral history books include: Anzac Memories: Living with the Legend (1994), The Oral History Reader (2016), Ten Pound Poms: Australia’s Invisible Migrants (2005), Moving Stories: an intimate history of four women across two countries (2011), Oral History and Photography (2011), and Australian Lives: An Intimate History (2017). Al is currently leading a research project about the history Australian fathering. See https://althomsonoralhistory.c... and if you have recording equipment of any kind (including but not only smart phones) please bring it along – but you do not need to purchase any equipment in advance.

You will need to bring or purchase your lunch on the day.

Transport:

We recommend travelling by public transport. PMI is a two-minute walk from Prahran Station. Prahran station is a seven-minute train ride from Flinders Street. All-day parking at Prahran square for $15 https://www.prahransquare.com.... is limited parking onsite.

Accessibility:

A lift is available to the first floor meeting room at PMI History Library

Questions: contact Nicole Hilder Local Studies SIG co-convenor: nhilder@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or Juleigh Start juleigh.start@wml.vic.gov.au

Contact the host of Local Studies Oral History Training with Alistair Thompson