[lstac] oral history backpacks

[Forbes, Lyndsay (BLC)]

Good afternoon,

I know a few people were interested in the oral history backpacks I mentioned at the conference. I'm here with more detailed information.

Currently, Boston Public Library circulates these within the City. We're working with them to add them as options statewide.

The Oral History Backpacks are kits containing recording equipment, accessories, and multilingual guidebook. Here is a link to the library's catalog<https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S75C8447877?_gl=1*j1zdea*_ga*MTgxNDIxMTk4OS4xNzc1OTE0Mjk0*_ga_G99DMMNG39*czE3NzYwOTE5NDIkbzIkZzEkdDE3NzYwOTE5NjckajM1JGwwJGgw*_ga_MHZN5EZEPR*czE3NzYwOTE5NDIkbzIkZzEkdDE3NzYwOTE5NjckajM1JGwwJGgw>. There are more details in the notes field under full details.

The Library has received a lot of inquiries about building oral history backpacks, so they've put together an informal toolkit, which includes an equipment list, guidebook text, and other useful documentation, all of which folks are welcome to repurpose:​Oral History Backpacks - For Libraries<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://bostonpubliclibrary.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/PublicService-CommunityHistoryStaff/IgAngpcXRkUlRJrwh9fcCvJKAf0IiVZmnY2lr0xpwaW3t9A__;!!CPANwP4y!XiRat0IbziGd96cCYStaHbgyrgpg8dXaIDbrOuk-7vjZhqpoQfdy3Ye1TNqG_lpiID5O9nlMz_jAuZVHa_I$>​. An important note: they've used (and liked) the Zoom H1N recorder; this was recently sunset, so when they replenish their kits, they will likely shift over to the next generation, Zoom H1 Essential<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?q=zoom*20h1*20essential&sts=ma__;JSU!!CPANwP4y!XiRat0IbziGd96cCYStaHbgyrgpg8dXaIDbrOuk-7vjZhqpoQfdy3Ye1TNqG_lpiID5O9nlMz_jAEH3naJ4$> and subsequent accessory kit<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1841847-REG/zoom_zaph1e_aph_1e_h1essential_accessory.html__;!!CPANwP4y!XiRat0IbziGd96cCYStaHbgyrgpg8dXaIDbrOuk-7vjZhqpoQfdy3Ye1TNqG_lpiID5O9nlMz_jAdwb2uWs$>. They will update the guidebook text accordingly but haven't crossed that bridge yet.

They have found that these kits circulate at branches in which a) the frontline staff have had the chance to familiarize themselves with the backpacks and receive a quick and easy training, and b) they have offered oral history workshops with hands-on demonstrations of the backpacks/recorders.


The librarian who runs this program is happy to speak to the group about the backpacks and lessons learned if there's interest.



Lyndsay Forbes

Project Manager and Grants Specialist

Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners

Office: 617-725-1860 ext. 252

Mobile: 857-488-6616




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