Status Updates From Using Oral History in Commu...

I really enjoyed the examples the authors provided throughout the book. The Chinese Oral History Project at the end was a great example of a complete project and that the end result had an impact on its community. Even though our oral histories will be on a smaller scale I still hope that they can have a lasting effect on future generations!

In all i thought this book was well written and it explained a lot on oral history projects. I liked how it was laid out on how it told you all the good and bad in doing these projects. I also liked how it gave you ideas on how if you needed to get funds they told you good ways to do it. All in all it was an outstanding book!

The last part of the book was more examples of real life oral history projects. The stories give excellent advice from people who have been there but I would've liked to have seen a conclusion or summary of oral histories at the end. Still, a good ending to a good book.

I really enjoyed on page 23 the authors talk about using photographs and artifacts in helping an oral history in broadcasting to a broader audience. I really love this idea and wish I would have used it in previous projects. Something to keep in mind since we have a 5 min. video to produce is photographs always spice it up.

i feel the last section of this pamphlet was not as helpful as maybe it could have been. Like some of the projects used as examples were interesting, but a better impact could have been made with less numerous examples. i also felt like there should have been a better conclusion to the pamphlet, it kind of left me feeling something was unresolved.

From the pages I got through, interviews are a crucial for the project or any type of History work. In some cases you may get a outstanding interviews or some bad one's. It says that you won't always get the perfect interview because peoples options will always be different. It says that in some cases that if you have a personal connection to the interview person you can get a different type of result. Good book.

Although I don't know if I'd put in as many stories about oral history as the authors did in chapter 3, they are all informative and give great examples of oral histories. They show not only show the successes and benefits but also look into the dirty work behind the scenes and the parts of oral histories that aren't so fun. I like the honesty of this chapter.

The second section of the pamphlet gives a good overview of troubleshooting things to look for when actually performing the projects. It gave me alot of good things to think about as far as the insider vs. outsider perspectives. i look forward to using these ideas in my own oral histoy projects.

An interview, which is a large part of Oral History. the main people to interview are not the major characters who were their, such as Mayors, Political figures, etc. The reliable source is the people on the side, such as the neighbors, and even the maids and cooks would be a valuable resource. A major problem of a community project is to not have all the facts of the project.

This book is well set up. I like the introductory pages because they set up the definitions for what an oral history is. It is also nice how the book explains how a person can make an oral history beneficial to the community that it is pertaining to. So far a good set up of ways to get the community involved in an oral history.

From what I read, I got that if you are in a group you need to balance out all the work to each individual so no one is over working. I also got that the public plays a major role in some oral projects, for instance financial aid the community can help. You also have to pick a topic that is interesting and also uneatable, you don't want something that you know you cant do in a decent time.

Devoting the last chapter to oral history examples was cleaver, yet not that effective. More information on methodology would have been effective. That being said, we have the examples. The first two provided reveal the importance of funding and institutional support. Take it from me, conducting 40 oral histories is neither cheap nor easy.

The advice in chapter 2 about how to be an effective interviewer is amazing. Forming relationships with the community and especially the narrators of your history are so important. The "insider" and "outsider" perspectives both have their advantages and disadvantages that this chapter lays out nicely.

Chapter 2 is a must read for anyone embarking on a community oral history project. Mercier's idea to help people learn for the mistakes of others was ingenious. That said, don't wait until the end of an interview to have the consent form signed. This really needs to be disclosed up front.

I loved that Mercier gave a short definition of community on the first page. In Dr. Jessica Clark's, History of Women in the American West, last semester we discussed community and its definition discussing its similarities with identity. Communities really can be a diverse group of people. I am excited to see everyone's topics and the communities they have chosen to help preserve!

Incredible information for up & coming oral historians. Mercier's advise on funding and research couldn't be more accurate. Using your local, regional historians, librarians, and archivists is key to a successful project. I just wish she would have spent more time on the methodology, as is the pamphlet jumps from preparation to processing. What about the actual oral history?

Incredible information for up & coming orla historians. Mercier's advise on funding and research couldn't be more accurate. Using your local, regional historians, librarians, and archivists is key to a successful project. I just wish she would have spent more time on the methodology, as is the pamphlet jumps from preparation to processing. Whay about the actual oral history?

Well, surprise, surprise! Mercier references Rock Springs, Wyoming on this page. Didn't see that coming ...

Wow. This book reads like a how to manual for developing an oral history project. Although short, it is full of information. With my experience coordinating a community oral history project, I can safely say Laurie Mercier's recommendation of involving the community to create buy-in is essential to success. Be inclusive, not exclusive with history!!

Wow. This book reads like a how to manual for developing an oral history project. Although short, it is full of information. With my experience coordinating a community oral history project, I can safely say Laurie Mercier's recommendation of involving the community to create buy-in is essential to success. Be inclusive, not exclusive with history!! And, don't forget that developing an oral history project is ti