News & Events
Turn up the volume – the launch of Waitakere’s Oral History Collections
In January 2007, Waitakere City Council marked a national turning point in the recognition of oral history when it created the contract position of Oral Historian at Waitakere Library and Information Services; the first full time position in New Zealand. The position is job-shared by oral historians Mary Donald and Sue Berman.
In January, Mary began developing a catalogue, both MARC and Dublin Core tagged. With the first 100 entries, the catalogue is in the process of being trialed. Later this year, the catalogue will be transferred to an electronic resource titled Heritage: Local History Online, based on the Greenstone open source software and is being developed by Waitakere, North Shore and Rodney Libraries in consultation with Datacom.
Sue joined the team in February as work began on developing an exhibition to showcase the collection. A Smorgasbord of Stories; a taste of Waitakere opens on May 10th and heralds the availability of ‘sound’ within the collection.
As the name suggests A Smorgasbord of Stories provides a tasting of treasures from the collection. The earliest recording was captured in 1961. Mrs Baillie was born in 1869 and lived in Te Atatu. She talks about West Auckland in the late 1800s. The most recent recording made in early April 2007 is with Mr Jack Morris talking about his life in Henderson and the career of his father photographer Frank Morris, whose nationally significant collection is held in the Libraries’ collection. In between is a feast of West Auckland stories and yarns. Enriched with photographs the exhibition includes transcripts and sounds.
Oral History Month 2007
Exhibition
Friday 11th May – 30th June 2007
Smorgasbord of Stories: a taste of Waitakere’s oral history. Level 2. Waitakere Central Library, Ratanui Street, Henderson. Free.
Oral History Gathering
Monday 21st May. 4-6pm
Open to all practicing or budding oral historians. Meet at the Waitakere Central Library, Ratanui Street, Henderson Level 3 meeting room, tour exhibition 4.30pm, followed by a discussion on oral history. Share your news, ask questions – this is your chance to get to know others interested in oral history. Then join the Waitakere Library team for dinner at the historic Falls Hotel (reservations for dinner required by May 9th). Free. Registration and enquiries to either Mary Donald or Sue Berman 09 836 8000
Oral History Workshop
Saturday 26th May 9am – 3.30pm Personal narrative; an introduction to oral history - A practical workshop covering use of equipment, interview skills, post interview procedure, legal and ethical standards.
Venue: Level 3, Waitakere Central Library, Ratanui Street, Henderson Booking essential. Cost $20 – payment required to secure place. Enquiries for Mary Donald 09 836 8000
Tours of exhibition
Smorgasbord of Stories: a taste of Waitakere’s oral history Followed by a discussion session - ‘What is Oral History?’
Wednesday 16th May Morning Tour 10-11:30am
Wednesday 23rd May Lunchtime Tour 12-1pm
Wednesday 30th May Afternoon Tour 3-4:30pm
Free. No reservation necessary.