Record Local Heritage with Digitization and Oral History Toolkits

Wyoming State Library is helping patrons digitize local heritage and oral history.

Considering a digitization project or community scanning event but need equipment? 

Is there a member of your community who has extensive knowledge that you want to capture as an oral history? The Wyoming State Records Advisory Board (WySHRAB) is here to help with two toolkits available for local use.

The Wyoming Digitization Toolkits contain a laptop, scanner, and CD drive to assist organizations in starting digitization projects. Kits may be used to digitize documents and photographic prints up to 8.5×11, some negative formats (35mm, 110, 120, 220), and 35mm slides. An external CD drive is included to assist in migrating files from CDs and DVDs to more reliable storage options. The laptop is loaded with software to help with image correction, audio and video editing, bulk file renaming, and more.

Also available are Wyoming Oral History toolkits to capture stories from community members. These toolkits include a digital recorder, two microphones, tripod with carrying case, SD card reader, guidebooks for conducting oral histories, and examples of release forms.

Kits may be loaned for 3 months at a time, with the option to extend for another 3 months if the kit is not spoken for.  Toolkits can be reserved by filling out the request form. Questions may be directed to Sara Davis, Wyoming State Archivist, at [email protected].

These toolkits are provided by WySHRAB and the Wyoming State Archives. The toolkits were supported in part by an award from WySHRAB, through funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), National Archives and Records Administration.