Resources
Trusted guides from libraries, archives, and oral history societies.
Section A
Interview Tips
Practical guidance from librarians and oral historians on how to ask good questions and keep an interview flowing.
- American Library Association — Oral Histories Resources ↗
A curated bibliography of how-to guides, sample questions, and best practices gathered by the ALA's Library Instruction Round Table.
- UC Berkeley Oral History Center — Interviewing Tips ↗
Field-tested advice from the Bancroft Library's Oral History Center on preparing, listening, and following up.
Section B
How Oral Histories Live in Archives
See what a finished oral history looks like once it is preserved — and how archives organize, describe, and share these voices.
- Alan Lomax Archive — Association for Cultural Equity ↗
Decades of field recordings, interviews, and folk music collected by Alan Lomax, freely available to explore by region and culture.
- Minnesota Historical Society — Oral History Collection ↗
An example of a state historical society's oral history holdings, with collection records, finding aids, and access notes.
Section C
Permissions & Agreements
Before you share an interview beyond your family, it helps to have written permission. These templates and guides explain why and how.
- Oral History Society — Teaching Resources ↗
The UK's Oral History Society offers consent forms, ethical guidelines, and lesson materials suitable for families, teachers, and students.