As soon as possible after the interview, the oral history team should do these tasks:

• Make copies of the recordings and take them directly to another location. Label all the recordings with project, interviewer, interviewee, date and recording number. Use a permanent colourfast marker.
• If possible, send the master copy or original to an archive, museum or cultural centre that has the facilities to store recordings safely.
• Develop or download any photographs.
• Label the interview notes and photographic information and put them safely in the file.
• Write a short biography of the storyteller.
• Write a short summary of the content of the interview.
• Listen to the complete recording and review how the interview went. What do you like and what could you improve next time you do an interview?
• Look at your question list and check off the questions that were answered in the last interview. Add to your list any new questions that came up during the interview.
• As you listen to the recording and review the questions, write the answers to the questions. Add them to your file.
• Make a plan for the next interview or next phase of your project.

Documenting the Interview

If your project is doing several interviews, a records manager could be chosen to keep a project log. The records manager should keep the following information about each interview:

• Who was interviewed.
• Who was the interviewer.
• How long was the interview.
• What was the date and time of the interview.
• How many tapes or disks were used.
• Whether the interview has been transcribed.

Make a file for each interview which includes this information:

• Name, address, phone number of the interviewee.
• Time and date of the interview.
• A short biography of the interviewee.
• Letters or notes about arranging the interview.
• A summary of the interview, the subjects that were talked about and the names of the people discussed.
• The consent or release form.
• Explanation of restrictions on the use of the interview.
• Other libraries or archives where a copy of the interview can be found.
• Name, address, phone numbers of the interviewer.