Greetings Colleagues, Are you passionate about sharing your unique experiences as a dedicated advocate of HBCU’s and bringing African American heritage to the world? We are thrilled to announce that acclaimed podcast that won the 2023 American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) Award of Excellence-winnin<https://www.clir.org/2023/07/clirs-material-memory-hbcu-library-alliance-tour-podcast-wins-2023-aaslh-award-of-excellence/>g Material Memory Season 3: HBCU Library Alliance Tour,<https://material-memory.clir.org/season-3/> is gearing up for an extraordinary fourth season, and we want YOU to join us in this exciting journey! The HBCU Library Alliance, in partnership with The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), is seeking individuals who have made significant contributions to academia, civil rights movements, and global history. Our aim is to amplify a diverse array of voices from alumni, educators, and trailblazers who have shaped the legacy of HBCUs. You, or someone you know, could be the next captivating guest on our podcast. get in touch with us here: If you’d like to share your interest or nominate someone else, please reach out to us through the HBCU Library Alliance CLIR Material Memory Podcast Interest Form<https://forms.office.com/r/P0Hs2CSGb9>. Stay tuned, as we’ll be providing additional information on travel support to Washington, D.C. very soon. The Podcast In season four, CLIR will collaborate with a consortium of six institutions over a period of three months. Our participating members will be interviewed twice, with the goal of crafting a captivating 30-minute podcast that vividly showcases the impactful endeavors of HBCUs and their global influence. Guiding us through this enlightening journey is Sharon Burney, a dedicated CLIR staff member who will continue as the host and interviewer. Sharon's inviting demeanor combined with her unwavering advocacy for HBCUs, positions her as the perfect candidate to connect with our vibrant community. Sharon joined CLIR in August 2019, following her tenure in the African American Studies program at the University of Florida, amassing a wealth of experience spanning over two decades in higher education, with fifteen of those years dedicated to the African American Studies Program. Beyond her academic accomplishments, Sharon is a passionate spoken word artist, seamlessly merging h her love for the African Diaspora with a fervent commitment to social justice. Her excitement is palpable as she looks forward to casting a brilliant spotlight on the remarkable historical contributions and collections housed within HBCU libraries, diligently sharing their profound significance with the world. Interview Guidelines The Interview Process: We have scheduled conversations to begin from September through November. First, there will be a 30-minute initial conversation scheduled before the full recorded interview. This initial conversation serves two primary purposes: to familiarize ourselves with you, the interviewee, and the collection you’d like to highlight, and to ensure that our discussion covers these important topics. The secondary purpose is to verify technical capabilities for the actual interview. The second conversation will last up to an hour and include the interview itself. The first 15 minutes will be dedicated to setting up, checking audio quality, and ensuring everyone’s comfort. The actual interview will not exceed 45 minutes. CLIR staff will work closely with you to establish convenient times for the initial and second conversations, and a gentle reminder will be sent the day before. Recording: CLIR's intention is to capture genuine experiences, allowing your concerns, passions, and priorities to shine through to the audience. We don’t adhere to a strict interview style; instead, our approach is guided by the natural flow of conversation. The recorded content will be edited before release, providing the opportunity for you to stop and restate something or make an audible note if there is anything you’d like to exclude from the final podcast. The initial conversation will play a key role in shaping the direction of the full recording session. Most sessions will begin with a general overview of your background and your institutional collections, and then move on to more specific topics. There will always be time at the end for you to share anything that may not have been covered. Interview Preparation: For the best recording environment, please check if your campus or library has a recording facility or a room with a stable internet connection. If you’re conducting the interview from your home or office: * Find a quiet space where external noises (people, HVAC units, street activity, pets, etc.) can be minimized, and where there is minimal echo/reverberation. A large closet can serve as effective sound insulation. * Turn off audible notifications on your computer and phone. * If possible, use a hard-wired connection, rather than Wi-Fi. * Preferably, use a wired headset microphone. (Please note: USB microphones can sometimes cross talk, which is suboptimal for editing purposes.) * For the best results, try to conduct both the initial and final conversations in the same space to avoid unexpected technical issues. Recording Process: Recording will take place via computer. You will first be invited to join a Zoom meeting. Once you’re in the Zoom meeting, the host will send you a link to join Zencastr, which will be used for the audio recording. Please ensure that you have either Chrome or Firefox installed on your computer to use Zencastr (Zencastr will ask for permission to use your system’s microphone. While Zoom video will run simultaneously, you should not feel obligated to have your video on, as we will not use the video in podcasts. The primary purpose of using video is to allow the host and interviewer to see each other during the conversation, facilitating interactions and enhancing the overall experience. Once the recording is complete, it’s crucial that you do not close your browser before the Zencastr recording has finished processing and uploading to avoid any data loss. From Interview to Podcast: After the interview is completed and the file has been uploaded, CLIR staff will initiate the production of the episode. This process involves necessary editing, inserting intro and outro segments, and adding narration if warranted. Our goal is to have most, if not all, of the episodes finished and released by late November. What CLIR will need from Interviewees: To move forward, we’ll require a signed form permitting recording and broadcasting (this form will be provided by CLIR). Additionally, we’ll need a headshot photo for use on the podcast episode page. If available, please provide social media handles for both you and your institution. Application Instructions: To apply, kindly complete the online application form <https://forms.office.com/r/P0Hs2CSGb9> no later than Monday, September 4th. The completed application can be saved and edited before submission. In preparation, please carefully consider your responses to the following application questions: * Please describe in 300 words or less the collection you would like to highlight for the interview. * Please describe in three hundred words or less the significance of the chosen collection. * Please provide a brief biography of three hundred words or less. For any inquiries or additional information, feel free to contact me directly at [swillis@hbculibraries.org]. We will be announcing the selected institutions by Friday, September 15th. Don't let this opportunity pass you by to become an integral part of an extraordinary community of griots, preserving narratives of resilience, triumph, and perseverance that are integral to the HBCU story. We eagerly anticipate receiving your applications! Shaneé Yvette Willis, M.Div/MLS Program Manager at HBCU Library Alliance<http://hbculibraries.org/> Phone: (678) 210-5801 ext. 103 Web: hbculibraries.org<http://hbculibraries.org/> Email: swillis@hbculibraries.org<mailto:swillis@hbculibraries.org> Follow us on our social media: [cid:0673ab73-fa5f-4653-a71d-07d338ac5aa1]<https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/> [cid:fb4fd756-2f7f-47e5-95b7-e0b2be9cd4a4] <https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance> [cid:1487060b-cb1a-467d-a96a-c515fb55dc26] <https://www.instagram.com/hbcu_library_alliance/> [cid:52a88e9b-5a8e-4dde-baeb-41aa5ec4c0a6] <https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/>