Aspiring and experienced oral history practitioners participate in a daylong event exploring the complexities of oral history projects and their community-based and institutional stakeholders.
The library and the Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES) invite the public to a day focused on oral history methods and practices. Complete novices and experienced practitioners alike may expect to learn from panel presentations, small-group discussions, tabling opportunities and networking with other oral historians.
The opportunities for engagement are to proceed according to the following schedule.
10:30-11 a.m.: Registration and Coffee
11 a.m. to noon.: Panel, "Oral History 101: Community- and University-based Collaborations for Oral History Projects"
The first panel features students who were trained to conduct oral history interviews and then contributed to course-based projects. Attendees may expect to learn what worked, what didn't and what they wish they had known, as they started working with Oral History. Panelists include Zach Williamson, Noah Dorn and others, who contributed to the "Voces de la Diaspora" Oral History project as part of a course offered through the Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES) at Princeton University. Tania Boster, Director of the Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES) will moderate the discussion.
Zach Williamson is a junior at Princeton University, where he studies Economics with minors in Spanish and Music Performance. In his free time, he sings with Princeton's oldest a cappella group, the Nassoons, and in the Glee Club and Chamber Choir. He's been taking courses in the Department of Spanish & Portuguese since his first semester at Princeton and has loved every one of them. A favorite memory is certainly learning the craft of oral history for the Voces de la Diáspora Oral History Project.
Charlotte Defriez is a junior at Princeton University, majoring in Religion with minors in Philosophy and Humanistic Studies. On campus, she volunteers as a violin coach with the Trenton Youth Orchestra and performs in musical theater pits, including with the Princeton Triangle Club. Last summer, Charlotte had the opportunity to work as a student researcher for the Heirloom Gardens Oral History Project, where she helped collect oral histories from individuals who have worked to preserve Black and Indigenous seed and foodways. Highlights of the experience included exploring Asheville's lesser-known history, trying her hand at farming, and being invited to cookouts full of delicious food.
Annalisa Jenkins '27 is a sophomore Spanish major from Baltimore, Maryland. She is pursuing minors in Journalism and Statistics with an interdisciplinary focus on environmental and migrant justice. On campus, Annalisa organizes and gives English lessons to campus dining staff as a Project Leader for El Centro, plays goalie for Princeton's club soccer team and works as a research specialist in a project with the Seed Farm studying okra seeds. Annalisa spent last summer conducting interviews with environmental sovereignty organizations in Bolivia, Puerto Rico and Baltimore through the Bogle Fellowship.
T
ania Boster directs the Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES), which supports academic courses and research collaborations grounded in Princeton University’s commitment to teaching and research that benefits humanity. Tania has taught oral history methods courses in the Oberlin College History Department; has organized and presented at international workshops and conferences, including The Global Liberal Arts Alliance convening “Oral History and Student Engagement with Displaced Communities”; and has helped facilitate community-driven historical research projects, including the Lorain County Racial Equity Agenda. Reflecting her deep commitments to public humanities and community-engaged experiential learning, she proudly serves on the boards of trustees for the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) and Oberlin Shansi.
Noon to p.m.: A complimentary lunch will be provided to registered attendees.
1-2 p.m.: Panel, "Public Library Partnerships for Sustainable Oral History Projects"
The second panel brings together speakers from public libraries across the state, to explore different models for advancing oral history projects through partnerships with public libraries. The libraries represented on the panel have supported local history projects through oral history or advanced community engagement through the practice of oral history. Featured speakers include Eric Zino, Director of the Haddonfield Public Library and Kathleen Melgar of the Asbury Park Public Library, as well as a third speaker to be announced.
Eric Zino has been the director of the Haddonfield Public Library since 2016. He previously worked for Lyrasis as a consultant serving the Mid-Atlantic region, and as the assistant director of the Burlington County College Library. Originally settled in 1682, Haddonfield is a community with a rich history. The library is currently working with multiple Haddonfield organizations on projects that preserve and expand access to those legacies.
Kathleen Melgar is the Director of the Asbury Park Public Library, where she combines her lifelong love of libraries with a deep commitment to her community. A founding member of the Asbury Park African American Music Project (APAMP), Kathleen helped launch this initiative as an oral history project at the library, preserving and celebrating the city’s rich cultural heritage. With a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Rutgers University, Kathleen and her staff have led efforts to strengthen the library’s role as a cornerstone of community life. She has championed initiatives in digital literacy, educational support, and cultural engagement, ensuring the library evolves with the needs of its diverse patrons.
2-2:30 p.m.: Break
2:30-3:30 p.m.: Simultaneous sessions devoted to different areas of practice.
3:30-4 p.m.: Networking and casual socializing.
4 p.m.: End of program.
Presented in partnership with the Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES) and with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
AGE GROUP: | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Workshops & Classes | Lectures & Panels | Humanities | Education | *Registration Required |
TAGS: | NEH |
