Building Partnerships and Programs through Oral History: Los Angeles Public Library

The discussion focused on the Los Angeles Public Library's oral history program, highlighting its development, successes, and challenges.

Ani Boyadjian, Zack Ellis

The discussion focused on the Los Angeles Public Library's oral history program, highlighting its development, successes, and challenges. Zack Ellis, CEO of TheirStory, explained the importance of oral history and how TheirStory has supported multiple organizations in preserving audiovisual storytelling. Ani Boyadjian from the library shared insights about their historical efforts in oral history, emphasizing the challenges posed by technology and limited resources. The library has conducted various projects, including community and institutional interviews, to capture diverse stories that reflect Los Angeles' rich history.

TheirStory has significantly facilitated this endeavor by simplifying the technical aspects, such as transcription and indexing, making it easier for library staff to conduct and manage interviews. Despite initial challenges in capacity and technological barriers, the platform has helped the library build partnerships and expand its reach. Future goals include diversifying the stories collected and enhancing public access, while maintaining a focus on community representation. Overall, the conversation underscored the importance of oral history as a tool for capturing diverse narratives and enhancing public engagement, with a particular focus on overcoming challenges and leveraging technology to sustain long-term preservation and accessibility of community stories.