Dallas Public Library’s new Veterans Oral History Project

by Stephanie Bennett

On Nov. 14, 2023, Dallas Public Library’s Genealogy & History Division launched a new Veterans Oral History Project to preserve the memories of U.S. military veterans, support staff and family members of veterans in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, capturing their stories and experiences for future generations to understand and learn from the past.

Spearheaded by Genealogy Specialist and 2023 DGS Bockstruck Scholarship winner Samantha Diaz, library staff will be looking to interview U.S. military veterans, support staff and family members of deceased veterans. Long-form, in-person video interviews will be conducted at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library by appointment. Zoom interviews for those unable to come to the library are also available. The program is in association with the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project, so participants will have the opportunity to provide a video interview for both the Dallas Public Library and the Library of Congress.

A field kit explaining the project, related forms and a copy of the interview questions is available upon request. Participants will receive their video interview on a DVD or USB, so they can share their stories with their loved ones.

The Veterans Oral History Project at Dallas Public Library is sponsored by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and the General Levi Casey Chapter, NSDAR.