StoryCorps Oral History Project
Two microphones. Two people. One incredible conversation.
Bridges Library System has partnered with an oral history nonprofit called StoryCorps to record and preserve community stories, and we’d love for you to be part of it! You are invited to record a conversation with a family member or friend to be preserved for generations to come in both the StoryCorps Archive and the Library of Congress.
If you would like to schedule a recording, please call the library at 262-246-5181 and ask for Becca.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should we talk about? Anything you want! Some people prefer to arrive with a plan- perhaps you want to talk about what life was like when you were in high school, or stories of your military service, or how you fell in love with your spouse- but others prefer a freewheeling conversation. Please chat with your conversation partner before your recording time to decide which type you are! You can always check out our list of conversation starters, too.
Do I need prior experience with recording equipment? Nope! All stories are recorded with the help of a librarian who has been trained as a facilitator. Their job is to make sure you are comfortable, help you fill out paperwork, and handle the technical side of the recording.
What kind of recording is it? They are audio only, though you can choose to take a picture afterwards to be archived alongside your recording. Recordings can be up to 40 minutes long.
Where is the recording stored? That’s up to you! After the recording, you can choose whether or not you’d like to release the recording. If you do, it will be preserved in both the StoryCorps Archive and the Library of Congress. If you prefer to keep it private, a file of your recording will be emailed to you and will not be retained by the library or StoryCorps.
Can I listen to an example? Check out the videos below to listen to short excerpts from previous recordings! You can find all recordings done by Bridges librarians on the StoryCorps Archive.