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Oral History Preservation
Oral history is a method of historical documentation, using interviews with living survivors of the time being investigated. Oral history preservation is the field that deals with the care and upkeep of these materials, whatever format they may be.

Collecting oral history
The earliest method of collecting oral history was through memory. (see: oral tradition) With the loss of elders who were willing to preserve and pass along these histories, cultural memories began to vanish.

With the advent of the written word, it became possible for cultures to preserve their history without the memory of a select few. Spoken word was transcribed, and the eyewitness accounts of those who lived through both significant and everyday events were able to be saved for future generations to study. This method of historical preservation was augmented with the invention of different methods to record sound. Spoken word can now be recorded on audio or video tape, or through newer digital methods.

While new media allows for richer histories to be saved, it also comes with greater issues for preservationists.

Past ways of saving oral histories
Early methods of recording sound included phonograph cylinders (a stylus would draw wax grooves on the outside of a cylinder), gramophone records (grooves on the flat side of a disk) and magnetic recordings.

Current way to save oral histories
While reel-to-reel audio tape recordings are still popular, video recordings have become standard. This allows the researcher to take body language and facial expressions (both important means of communication in themselves) into account.

Basic preservation of the collection
The basic preservation rule for oral histories is that the repository must make three copies each of the oral history, of the transcript, and of all accompanying paperwork (summaries and copyright statements).


 * One copy will be the original item


 * One copy will be the duplicating master


 * One copy will be the access (public use) copy

There are a few basic rules for paper (transcript) preservation of your oral history collection:


 * Make sure transcriptions are created on acid-free paper.


 * Save original transcript, and make copies for public use. Do not loan out original.


 * Store paper copies of transcriptions in archival-quality, acid free boxes.

There are a few basic rules for magnetic recording preservation of your oral history collection:


 * Save the original tape as well as the transcript of the interview


 * Make an audio copy for public use, do not allow your original to be used


 * Store your tapes away from magnetic fields


 * Discourage users from fast forwarding and rewinding the audio tapes, this adds unnecessary wear and tear


 * Remember that master copies must be played every once and a while to ensure they are still viable


 * Keep your tapes in an environment that will maintain a temperature between 50-70 degrees fahrenheit. The environment must also maintain a humidity level between 40-50% relative humidity (RH).

There are many different digital preservation strategies out there, but no one strategy has been agreed upon as appropriate for all data types or institutions. For information on proposed digital preservation strategies, check out the Cornell tutorial on digital preservation management: Cornell Digital Preservation