Boise offers oral history training for young interviewers

The Boise City Department of Arts & History, with support from OfficeMax Boise Community Fund, announces a series of free oral history training sessions for youths between the ages of 9 and 18 years.

The "Listen"training sessions will be held once a month at various community centers, library branches, and other public venues on the first Saturday of the month from February to October 2012. Sessions last two hours and will provide basic training for children and teens to conduct interviews with family members and seniors in their community.

The goal of the LISTEN program is to build a stronger community by connecting our youth with older generations and to help foster appreciation for their contributions and experiences.

The support from OfficeMax also will allow the city to offer digital oral history recording and transcription equipment that community members can check out at no cost.

Participants are encouraged to submit excerpts to A&H from interviews they conduct, which will be compiled into a small booklet that will be available to the public.

Space is limited, and register is suggested. Children between ages 9 and 12 should have a parent or adult guardian attend the program with them.

Please contact Amy Fackler with questions or to register (433-5675 / afackler@cityofboise.org).

January 11, 2012
By Anna Webb - awebb@idahostatesman.com