Subject Guides: Oral History Resources: Phase 3: Curation & Access

Step 6: Curation Using OHMS

The Oral History Metadata Synchronizer (OHMS) is an excellent tool for adding further context and curation to interviews. The tool is embedded within The Aviary Platform, a popular site for streaming A/V collections. OHMS allows users to break audio or video interviews down into short, chapter-like segments and pair each one with relevant information and summaries. By segmenting the interview into shorter parts, OHMS enables future viewers to more easily search for the segments that are most relevant to their needs.

Fully indexing interviews on OHMS involves four major components:

Interview-Level Metadata Indexing
Segment-Level Metadata Indexing
Transcript Footnote Annotations (optional)
Transcript Syncing

At UM-Dearborn, researchers can contact campus librarians to learn more about incorporating OHMS and Aviary into their projects. Several ongoing oral history projects at UM-Dearborn utilize OHMS and Aviary in various ways. These projects include the Michigan Iranian American Oral History Project (MIAOHP), the Michigan Middle East Travelers Oral History Project (MMETOHP), and the Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive, as well as the upcoming Shared Campus Lives and Restored Voices oral history collections from The 1959 Project.

For an example of an interview with complete OHMS curation, including interview-level metadata, segment-level indexing, transcript annotations, and transcript time synchronization, please refer to the interview of Mahin Shad Oveis from the Michigan Iranian American Oral History Project.

The Oveis interview also demonstrates another significant feature of OHMS: Bilingual Indexing. This feature enables researchers to provide the index, transcript, and metadata in two languages. Viewers can easily switch between languages by clicking a link beneath the video viewer.

Oral History Metadata Synchronizer (OHMS) & Aviary Platform Resources

"Resources and Guides." Oral History Metadata Synchronizer. https://www.oralhistoryonline.org/documentation/.
Boyd, Doug and Danielle Gabbard, Sara Price, and Alana Boltz. “Indexing Interviews in OHMS: An Overview,” in Oral History in the Digital Age, edited by Doug Boyd, Steve Cohen, Brad Rakerd, and Dean Rehberger. Washington, D.C.: Institute of Museum and Library Services, 2014, https://ohda.matrix.msu.edu/2014/11/indexing-interviews-in-ohms/.
Magewick, Marlaine. Guidelines for Using OHMS and Aviary Platform: Intended for use on the Michigan Middle East Travelers Oral History Project (MMETOHP), Michigan Iranian American Oral History Project (MIAOHP), and The 1959 Project. 2024. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KFcUJ254G9z_ObIdPmjgj8dJEej3CKm-L0t7zDY1tgs/edit?usp=sharing.

For assistance with incorporating OHMS and/or the Aviary Platform into a project, please contact campus librarians.

Omeka S & Omeka Classic

Omeka S and Omeka Classic are site builders, very similar to WordPress, but with an emphasis on presenting digital archival collections. The platforms allow you to create collections of digital resources, assign metadata, and create dynamic digital exhibits. Plugins (called Modules on Omeka S) are also available to expand the features and functionality of your site.

In order to properly display oral history media in the Omeka platforms, site managers will need to embed media viewers using their desired video platform (e.g. Kaltura, OHMS, YouTube, etc.). The platforms can easily accomodate other media types (documents, images, etc.), allowing researcher to add valuable materials to further contextualize the narrators' stories.

University of Michigan-Dearborn and Ann Arbor, both utilize Omeka platforms for various collections and exhibits, including oral histories. UM-Dearborn researchers can contact the Mardigian Library with questions regarding the use of Omeka.

For examples of UM-affiliated oral history projects that utilize Omkea S and OHMS embedded viewers, please see the following sites:

Additional Tools

WordPress

WordPress is a popular site builder that allows users to create dynamic websites. Basic blog-style sites are free (apart from premium plugins, themes, and other enhancements) and user-friendly to create and manage.