Oral History Transcriber

Over the course of the next 20 years, about 150 interviews were recorded.  In order to share the information on the recordings with the public, we are required to know exactly what is on each recording; this can be accomplished through transcription (the act of typing out every word spoken in a readable and word-searchable format).

More than 100 interviews have yet to be transcribed and those that do have transcriptions need to be copyedited before they can be released.  Transcription is a very time consuming process that requires listening to interviews several times to make sure everything that is said is recorded accurately. 

Producing transcriptions will allow for excerpts of the interviews to be posted on the park website and the information within the interviews will provide researchers with firsthand accounts of this area’s history.  A printed transcription is also a more reliable method of preservation than the audio recording itself.

An interest in local history told from a first person perspective; ability to work independently; attention to detail.  Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Adobe products along with good typing skills.  Ability to listen carefully and have genuine interest in people and the stories they have to share.

Time commitment is flexible and can be arranged on an interview-by-interview basis.  The average length of an interview is about one hour.  Volunteer service opportunities will primarily be available weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. only, but no weekly minimum work commitment is required; work hours can be scheduled around volunteer’s schedule.  Must work on site at Zane Grey Museum in Lackawaxen, PA.