Richmond Reflects

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About This Project

Welcome to Richmond Reflects. The COVID-19 pandemic is among the most daunting crises the world has faced in the last century. As a result, we have all had to learn how to cope with new realities and uncertainties. Many of us have also felt the impact of existing inequities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic, or have had our living and working conditions change abruptly. We realize that right now, the pandemic may still be hard for you to talk about--so take your time, and give it some thought. But when you’re ready, we’d love to hear your story.

The Richmond Public Library is currently collecting oral histories from Richmond residents to document the city’s pandemic experience. We want everyone’s voices to be heard, and particularly those of frontline workers. If you’d prefer to have a friend or family member interview you, we’ve provided a recording how-to guide, sample questions, and a submission link below. However, if you’d like to have an RPL librarian conduct your interview, just reach out to us by contacting Alexandra.Zukas@richmondgov.com or Benjamin.Himmelfarb@richmondgov.com.

Before submitting your recording, please review, sign, and send your completed interview agreement to Hull Street Library, 1400 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23224

Submission Guidelines

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Submission Guidelines

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Additional Information

Recording How-To Guide

Before submitting your recording, please review, sign, and send your completed interview agreement to Hull Street Library, 1400 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23224

  • First, wipe down that phone! It is important to thoroughly clean your device to prevent the possible spread of infection. It is also important to remember not to interview a sick person. If you or your subject are unwell, it is best to wait to record when healthy.
  • Second, find a quiet space to record--preferably a room with a door you can close to minimize outside sounds, like television or cooking sounds.
  • Locate and open the voice recording app on your phone (on iPhone, Voice Memos; Android phones usually have pre-loaded apps like Voice Recorder).
  • Switch your phone on airplane mode so that calls and notifications don’t interrupt the interview.
  • Locate the microphone on your phone, make sure there’s nothing obstructing it (like your hands!), and point it towards the interviewee. Make sure the microphone isn’t too close or too far away from your interviewee.
  • Hit the red button to record! State your name and the date, then ask your interviewee to state their name. You can dive into the prompts, or use questions of your own.
  • Hit the red button again to stop recording. After you’ve stopped recording, you should be able to edit the interview in case your interviewee said anything they’d rather keep private.
    • On iPhone → In Voice Memos, select your recording, hit the small blue dots in the bottom left corner of the recording file, and hit “Edit Recording.” → Hit the blue box in the upper right. → Drag the blue and yellow sliders to the section of the interview you want to delete, and hit “Delete” (but not “Trim”). → Hit “Done” to save.
    • On Android → This will entirely depend on your app, and some will have better editing capabilities than others. Try using a program like MP3 Cutter--but practice on a test recording before committing to any edits in your interview recording.
  • Upload the file to your laptop or desktop by either emailing the file to yourself or connecting your phone via a USB cable.
  • Wipe down that phone (again)!

Some possible interview prompts to get you started:

  • Biographical
    • What’s your name?
    • Would you mind stating your age?
    • Tell me about your background (where you live, where you grew up and went to school, etc.).
    • What is your profession and where do you work?
    • Do you like your job? What aspect of it brings you the most joy? The most stress?
  • COVID-specific questions:
    • What was your initial impression of COVID in March 2020? Were you worried or unconcerned? How did your feelings change over time?
    • What adjustments did you have to make in your daily life? In your professional/academic life?
    • What were some of the hardships you experienced?
    • How did you feel about the city’s response? Or the national government’s response?
    • How did you take care of your mental health?
    • How do you think people are treating each other during the pandemic? Could you share some local examples?
    • Has communicating with others changed for you during the pandemic? How?
    • How worried were you about getting COVID?
    • What have you missed during the pandemic?
    • Are you staying in? Going out? Tell us what you’ve done to pass time.
    • How has this experience changed your perspective (on life generally, your job, hopes for the future)?
    • What would you want someone in the future to know about this pandemic?
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