Project participants -- be sure to review the Project Description and Guidelines to familiarize yourself with the goals of the project, the interview topics and sample questions, and project policies and procedures. Consult StoryCorps' tips on interviewing and other oral history resources to ensure the best interview possible.
Once you’ve settled on your approach, consult our guides for using various audio and video recording equipment. Pick a recording solution.
Use your equipment (phone, tablet, computer, or camera)
Use our equipment (audio recorder or iPad and microphone)
Contact archives@iastate.edu to schedule an equipment loan. We will cover shipping and include a return label when you are finished. Please return material in a timely fashion so that we can accommodate other users.
Obtain the necessary recording equipment and learn how to use it. To minimize last minute stress and ensure a quality recording, please make sure you are thoroughly familiar with your equipment before the interview. Consult our equipment guides (above) if you need help--and PRACTICE! Need to borrow some equipment? Contact the archives@iastate.edu.
Contact your interviewee prior to the interview to go over project goals and explain the process, including the consent form. Give them an overview of the topics you hope to cover in the interview and invite their input. You want to make sure your questions speak to both the project template and your interviewee’s unique experience.
All participants must sign the consent form. Questions can be sent to archives@iastate.edu. Should you use a third-party videographer to record your interview, please have them sign a third-party release of rights to the interview to avoid copyright confusion down the road.
Schedule the recorded interview session. Be sure to allow adequate time, typically 1-2 hours. If you think you’ll need longer, consider breaking the interview up into multiple sessions.
The library's collections and services are available to all ISU students, faculty, and staff and Parks Library is open to the public.
