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SLO 4, ARTIFACT 2:
Oral History Resource Website Link to website: https://sltorian.wixsite.com/durhamoralhistory This website is a supporting resource component of an oral history training module I created for Professor Daniel Martin's media production services class. It shows how a librarian can use open source website building tools to engage community members remotely while promoting onsite programs being hosted at the library and other cultural centers. This was my first time curating resources for a website and building a website in the Wix platform. The biggest challenges were 1) making the site visually engaging and educational without overwhelming the learner with information and 2) learning Wix design features. I chose a simple layout and used short text blurbs to avoid visual overstimulation. I learned Wix mainly through trial and error and by drawing on my experience developing a site in WordPress. An important aspect of user service design is building partnerships with other community organizations. One way to start this process is by promoting the events of fellow cultural institutions that might in turn promote the library’s events. Even more important, promoting the offerings of other organizations helps the library users locate non-library related resources that respond to their needs. The oral history resource website includes information about oral history-themed classes and workshops taking place throughout the community. Because of oral history practitioners' traditional focus on unheard voices, I believe oral history has tremendous potential to empower marginalized and underserved library communities. I hope to one day use this online resource center to encourage the practice of oral history within these communities. |