Oral History Pod: Capture your memories

Name: Oral History Pod: Capture your memories
Start: 2026-08-11T10:00:00+1000
End: 2026-08-28T17:00:00+1000
Location: National Library of Australia

Step inside the Oral History Pod at the National Library of Australia, a cosy private space created in celebration of Oral History Month.

Recording your memories can be surprisingly powerful. This pop‑up experience invites two people to sit together and record a meaningful conversation that captures memories, reflections, and stories worth holding onto.

In the pod, one of you becomes the storyteller and the other the question‑asker. Everyday moments often become treasured keepsakes - for you, your family, or anyone you choose to share them with. This pod gives you the chance to preserve those stories before they fade.

A smartphone with the recording screen on with a red record button and soundwaves.

Bookings and using the pod

One-hour sessions are available to book from Tuesday 11 August to Friday 28 August via the 'Book now' button. Choose from available times between 10:00am and 5:00pm daily.

You can book multiple sessions if you wish to record for longer, pending availability.

A friendly booklet is waiting inside to guide you with:

Recording tips for capturing clear, warm sound
Suggested conversation prompts to help the dialogue flow
Simple phone‑based recording apps you can use to save your story

Your recording is entirely for personal use, and we hope this space helps you create something heartfelt, lasting, and uniquely yours.

Record a parent, a friend, a child – anyone whose memories and experiences are important to you. Happy memory‑making!

More to explore

People gathering outside a red brick church, with a sign advertising a 'Pop-Up Kitchen' and soup pickup.

Sandy Scheltema, Pop-up kitchen offering soup during the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions, 2020, Daylesford Community Church, nla.obj-2931859327

COVID-19 oral history project: Archiving pandemic voices

Join Dr Barbara Lemon, Bronwyn Ryan and Dr Scott McKinnon from the Library’s oral history team as they reflect on the process of compiling the extraordinary Australian COVID-19 collection.

Event

A black and white photo of a woman wearing headphones, operating a vintage audio recording or mixing console in a studio setting.

Mike Brown, Judy Bateman edits an interview, 1975, Australian Information Service photograph, nla.obj-136606131

The memory collectors: Conversations with oral historians

The Library's Dr Barbara Lemon joins esteemed oral historians, Dr Shirleene Robinson AM, MC Trey and Dr Barry York for a conversation about lessons on humanity, memory and the art of listening.

Event

At the left of the photo, a young man with short dark hair is sitting down at a radio desk, smiling out at the camera and with his left hand he balances a record on its edge on the desk.

Douglas Thompson, Radio announcer Ted Reeves of 2CA radio station holding a record, Canberra, 1951, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-138073414

Introduction to oral history

Dive into the oral history collection, exploring highlights and how you can access the voices that describe Australia's cultural, intellectual and social life.

Learning activity for adults