Grants & Awards

Preservation & Access Project

Phase 1 Final Report

Summary

Experts made preliminary assessments of both the physical state of the collection, and the public access catalog/database. They made preliminary recommendations and instructed PRA staff in best practices for preservation, and description. PRA staff and a panel of advisors began choosing 100 key cultural heritage tapes for special preservation and description. A vendor was selected for digitization & transfer. Typed transcripts of selected tapes, to be posted on the PRA website, are in process.

Details
  1. Activities and accomplishments Project funds were used to engage key project consultants: radio archives specialist Adi Gevins (PRA Preservation & Access Project coordinator), magnetic sound preservation expert David Seubert (curator, Davidson Special Library Collections, University of California, Santa Barbara), and media arts preservation / description expert Mona Jimenez (Moving Image Preservation Specialist, Bobst Library, New York University). On visits to PRA in July, 2003, and March and June 2004, our consultants conducted onsite observations, assessed the collection, facilities and practices; evaluated progress; and conducted informational interviews with archives staff.The resulting report & recommendations are attached to this report, and are available to the NEA, to recorded sound archives, and the general public, on the PRA website http://www.pacificaradioarchives.org. Plans for actionable improvements in preservation practices were made, and actualization has begun. David Seubert is working with PRA operations staffers Mark Torres and Edgar Toledo on developing a "best practices manual" for PRA. When complete, the manual will be available to other broadcast archives, as appropriate.

    PRA is working with a number of experts towards the end of coming to a decision regarding cataloging and description. We have been working with PRA Preservation & Access Project coordinator, Adi Gevins, and Preservation / Description expert, Mona Jimenez; as well as consulting with Tom Connors, curator, Public Broadcasting Archives, University of Maryland, College Park; Andy Lanset, archivist, WNYC-FM; Mary Ide, archivist, WGBH, Boston; Howard Besser, director, Moving Image Archiving and Preservation Program, Tisch School of the Arts, NYU; and Claude Marks, curator, Freedom Archives, San Francisco. We are still in the process of deciding whether to up-work the current InMagic catalog, or migrate to a different database. Regardless, the current MARC transferable files are being corrected on an "as-needed" basis. The basic PRA catalog is again available to the general public via the PRA website http://www.pacificaradioarchives.org. PRA is preparing to participate in the public broadcasting metadata project. PRA thankfully gives credit to production assistant / assistant cataloger Andrea Hull for shouldering much of the work on description & cataloging.

    As a result of our work with key consultants, and other archives professionals, we decided to take a two-pronged approach toward prioritizing preservation & access activities for the cultural heritage: arts/music/radio art portion of the PRA collection. One priority group entails beginning an "item count", and making overall improvements on description and preservation/processing of master tapes. At the same time, we are taking a "content priority" approach: identifying series which are both of exceptional interest, and in special need of preservation / restoration processing. We recruited a panel of experts from a variety of fields to help us identify the first batches of cultural heritage/arts/music/radio arts tapes to be processed. [See: List of Advisors and 100 Key Arts & Music Recordings for Prioritized Preservation, below.]

    In line with our consultants' recommendation to outsource initial preservation, and thanks to a Phase II grant from the NEA, the first group of 25 selected master tapes will be transported by PRA Director Brian DeShazor in January, 2005 to Safe Sound Archives in Philadelphia where DeShazor will observe and participate in the preservation and digitization processes conducted by George Blood. [See: List of Advisors and 100 Key Arts & Music Recordings for Prioritized Preservation]/ As part of Phase I description & access activities, several of the selected program tapes were scheduled for transcription. The completed transcripts will be available on the PRA website. These include: interviews with Odetta, John Coltrane, Paul Robeson, and Allen Ginsberg; poetry readings by Lawrence Ferlinghetti; and a 1960's panel discussion on "The Negro in American Culture" featuring James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, and Langston Hughes.
  2. Ability to carry out approved project activities. Generally, the process was successful. However, we did encounter difficulties which we hope can be useful to you in the future.

    a). As the project progressed we found we needed to engage more expert consultants, both because one of the initially identified consultants was extremely busy, and because we required other types of expertise.

    b). Our initial assumptions of the amount of work it would take to create typed transcripts suitable for web-posting were not adequate. We discovered that we required additional time and resources for editing, fact-checking, and creating contextual essays or informational links to the texts.
  3. Who were the key artists, and what was the nature of their involvement?

    a) For key consultants, see above.

    b). Key artists include the advisors [See: List of Advisors and 100 Key Arts & Music Recordings for Prioritized Preservation], and the artist/performers/creators of the archival works subject to preservation [See: List of Advisors and 100 Key Arts & Music Recordings for Prioritized Preservation ]
  4. What endowment outcome did you address? N.A.
  5. What was the impact on -- or benefit to -- your organization?

    a).Perhaps the most important outcome was that this grant allowed the Pacifica Radio Archives to set aside staff time, resources, and promotional activities which were tagged for the preservation and access functions of the Pacifica Radio Archives. Without preservation & access there would be nothing.

    b) PRA located, identified, and made available to the broadcast stations, key interviews and works by June Jordan, Audre Lorde, and other artists. The Pacifica member stations were abuzz with findings such as Richard Pryor on Attica (poems read on his program on KPFA), and other previously undiscovered recordings.

    c) PRA director Brian DeShazor, and other PRA staffers were able to offer newly discovered and restored tapes to community radio stations at the National Federation of Community Broadcasters conference, and the Grassroots Radio conference.

List of Advisors and 100 Key Arts & Music Recordings for Prioritized Preservation

Summary

In March, 2004, lists of candidate programs (and selected audio excerpts) were sent to the project Panel of Advisors. Their responses were collected and analyzed by PRA staff. The recordings selected for priority preservation were selected based on historic significance, artistic merit and quality of recording and physical condition of tape.

Advisors
  • Margot Adler, NPR Radio Producer / reporter
  • Steve Barker, sound engineer
  • Erik Bauersfeld, Drama and Literature Director KPFA-Berkeley, 1960-1991
  • Grace Cavalieri, Poet, humanities advocate, producer "The Poet and the Poem" WPFW-Washington D.C.
  • Tyne Daly, actress
  • Sue Hodson -Curator of Literary Manuscripts, the Huntington Library
  • Howard and Roz Larman, Pacifica radio hosts "Folkscene" KPFK-LA
  • Matthew Lasar, independent media historian
  • Andrea Lewis, Jazz historian, radio host KPFA-Berkeley
  • Mark Maxwell, Jazz and blues historian, radio host KPFK-LA
  • David Moore, Associate Professor, English Department, University of Montana Department of English
  • Richard Moore, Poet and Co-founder Pacifica Foundation
  • David Ossman, member of Firesign Theater radio comedy group
  • Jerry Quickley, slam poet and radio host "Beneath the Surface" KPFK-LA
  • James Ragan, poet, director of professional writing program, USC
  • Sandy Rattley-Lewis, Executive Producer, World Space-Africa Learning Channel; VP Cultural Affairs, NPR 1993- 1996
  • Luis Rodriguez, Poet and Chicano activist
  • Bari Scott, Executive Director of SoundVision Productions, Berkeley, CA
  • Anthony Seeger, Professor of Ethnomusicology, UCLA
  • Susan Stone, Current Drama and Literature Director KPFA-Berkeley,
  • Lily Tomlin, actress
  • Valerie Van Isler, radio station general manager, WBAI-NY 1991-2002
  • Jane Wagner, playwright
  • Nathan Wang, composer
  • Jon Weiner, professor of history, UC Irvine
100 Key Arts & Music Recordings for Prioritized Preservation
  1. Rushdie Readings. Introduced by Susan Stone, 1987. PRA #AZ0893. Selected readings from Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses" in-studio and from PEN (freedom to write) readings in NewYork and San Francisco Public Libraries. Includes speech by Professor Edward Said.
  2. Paul Robeson: World Citizen. Interviewed by Elsa Knight Thompson and Harold Winkler, 1958. PRA #BB0534. Discussion of Robeson's life, views of socialism and problems facing emerging African nations.
  3. Dylan Thomas Reads, 1952. PRA# BB0958. Poet reads his poetry.
  4. Nightwood / by Djuna Barnes; read by Dylan Thomas, 1952. PRA #BB1937. Selections of Barnes novel read by Dylan Thomas recorded at the YM-YWHA Poetry Center, New York City, 15 May 1952.
  5. Sean O'Casey's Autobiography / written and read by Dylan Thomas, 1952. PRA# BB1938. Author reads his short story.
  6. Dylan Thomas Readings, 1952. PRA #BB1939. Readings from Sean O'Casey's autobiography, the poetry of G.M. Hopkins, and selections from "Strange Meeting" by Wilfred Owen.
  7. Robert Frost Reads his Own Poetry, 1956. PRA #BB1890
  8. Allen Ginsberg Reads his Poetry, 1956. PRA #BB1893. Renowned beat poet reads selections of his works, including a portion of Howl.
  9. Panel on Howl, moderated by Pacifica Radio founder, Lewis Hill, 1957. PRA #BB1894. Panel discussion on the issues surrounding the obscenity trial caused when Pacifica aired a reading of Allen Ginsberg's poem Howl. Panel includes Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
  10. Why We Can't Air Howl / Allen Ginsberg, 1987. PRA# IZ0280. Noted author-poet discusses the history of FCC involvement in regulating what can be broadcast.
  11. The Street's Kiss / written and read by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, 1956. PRA# BB1881. Poet reads his own poem.
  12. Existential poems / written and read by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, 1956. PRA# BB1880. Poet reads his own work.
  13. A Coney Island of the Mind / written and read by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, 1956. PRA# BB1882
    Poet reads his own work.
  14. Robert Lowell in Berkeley, 1957. PRA# BB1915. Poet reads his own work.
  15. Poetry / written and read by Kenneth Rexroth, 1957. PRA# BB0977. Poet reads his own work.
  16. Kenneth Rexroth on Censorship, 1957. PRA# BB1010. Rexroth's speech on the threat to a free society posed by censorship of books.
  17. Art in the Mexican Community / produced by Colin Edwards, 1963. PRA# BB0098.04. A radio documentary on the growth of a Spanish theater in Chicano communities.
  18. Pablo Neruda in New York, 1972. PRA# BC0970.01-.02. Poet reads and discusses his work.
  19. Richard Pryor on Attica. 1972. PRA# BC1030. Compilation of Pryor's poetry and comments made during the Attica prison rebellion.
  20. Siqueiros: Political Artists, 1974. PRA# BC1734. Documentary on the life of David Alfaro Siqueiros who helped, with Orozco and Rivera, to create the Mexican muralist movement.
  21. Adrienne Rich, date unknown. PRA# IZ0355. Poet and author speaks on the subject of challenging the prevailing androcentric world view.
  22. Adrienne Rich, 1972. PRA# BC0949.02. Poet reads selections of her own works, "Snapshots of a Daughter-in-Law," and "Necessities of Life."
  23. To Be Young, Lesbian, and Black in the '50s, Audre Lorde, 1982. PRA# KZ1240. The writer describes her experiences in New York, talks about being black and lesbian, and reads from her book, "Zami: A New Spelling of My Name."
  24. Johnny Got His Gun / by Dalton Trumbo. PRA# BC0825.01-.02. Radio adaptation of Trumbo's novel.
  25. Frank Lloyd Wright at Berkeley, 1957. PRA# BB1972. American architect talks about the failing of most designs, and the need for new expression in architecture.
  26. The Final Revolution / Aldous Huxley, 1959. PRA# BB0055. Speech on how man is threatening to destroy the delicate natural balance.
  27. An Interview with Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. / interviewed by Bill Henderson, 1971. PRA# BB3971. Author discusses his views about time, good and evil, the end of the world, and reads selections from an upcoming book.
  28. The Poems of Ghalib: A Centennial Celebration / read by Aijaz Ahmad & Adrienne Rich, 1969. PRA# BC0238. Reading of Ghalib, (Mirza Asadullah Khan) poetry on l00th anniversary of the Urdu poet's death.
  29. Remember the Dreamers / Ray Bradbury, 1975. PRA# BC2896. Author of The Martian Chronicles speaks about the responsibility of man in his exploration of space.
  30. Educating women artists / Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro Interviewed by Clare Spark, 1971. PRA# BC0260. Two women artists discuss the state and direction of art produced by women.
  31. The Female Angst / Anais Nin, Joan Didion, and Dory Previn; interviewed by Sally Davis. 1972. PRA# BC0611. Women authors discuss their work.
  32. Lady Day: Billie Holiday, produced by Gene and Fabs Dealessi, 1967. PRA# BC0674. Biographical radio documentary about the blues singer. Includes statements by Dizzy Gillespie, Lena Horne, Studs Terkel, and Frank Schiffman; also contains selected readings from Holliday's autobiography "Lady Sings the Blues", read by Lillian Kinney.
  33. I Don't Sing for Adulation: The Music of Victor Hara / produced by Frances Emley. 1975. PRA# BC2953. Music of Chilean folk musician Victor Jara who died in the aftermath of the 1973 coup in Chile. Translated by Joan Jara.
  34. An Evening with Anaïs Nin / interviewed by Judy Chicago, 1972. PRA# BC0619. Nin reads and discusses her book "Fourth Diary." She also discusses her struggle to become an accepted author.
  35. Lenny Bruce: a profile / Albert Goldman, 1963. PRA# BB0382. Talk on the comedian's efforts to break down cultural taboos, and the resulting legal controversies.
  36. John Lennon: the political and the personal / written and produced by Jon Wiener. PRA# KZ1020. A documentary containing released and unreleased music; excerpts from the RKO interview; interviews with Abbie Hoffman and Pete Seeger. Focuses on Lennon's socialist politics.
  37. Ulysses / by James Joyce; adapted, produced and directed by Paul Vangelisti, 1979. PRA# KZ0794. Radio adaptation of Joyce's novel.
  38. Simone de Beauvoir in conversation with Studs Terkel; narrated by Janet Dodson. 1977. PRA# KZ0125. An interview with readings and narration. Included are excerpts from de Beauvoir's books, "Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter", "Prime of Life", "All Said and Done", and "The Second Sex."
  39. The Naked Civil Servant / by Quentin Crisp. Interviewed by Jessica Schuman, 1977. PRA# KZ0782. Author discusses his life and work.
  40. Alice Walker Reads her Short Story, "Roselily", date unknown. PRA# AZ1010. Walker describes the story and how she wrote it about her first marriage to a civil rights attorney. the story was dropped from a 10th grade English test by California state educators based on complaints from Christian conservatives. The Traditional Values Coalition applied pressure based on what they read as "anti-religious" in the story. Walker states how the story questions the dominance of Christianity over all religions in the US.
  41. Langston Hughes / interviewed by Eve Core, 1963. PRA# BB3671. Author discusses and reads selections of his work. Includes "Thank you, Ma'am," and "Sorry for a Midget."
  42. Science Fiction Writing / Philip K. Dick; interviewed by Mike Hodel, 1979. PRA# KZ0727. KPFK's Mike Hodel interviews Philip K.Dick at his home. Dick talks about many things: the meaning of science fiction writing, what science fiction writing is, the low status of science fiction, hints on how he writes, and the background of some of the books he's written.
  43. Lena Horne interviewed by Gene Dealessi, 1966. PRA# BB0921. Black singer interviewed at Fairmont hotel in San Francisco.
  44. Brecht in Hollywood produced by David Ossman, 1963. PRA# BC1162. Documentary on the life of Berthold Brecht during 1941-1947. Included are interviews with Elsa Lanchester, John Houseman, and testimony before the House on Un-American Activities.
  45. I Remember Mahler /. KZ2457
  46. They remember Dvorak / produced by William Malloch, 1970. PRA# KZ1250. Interviews with people who knew Dvorak in the United States and during his final years in Czeckoslovakia. Some musical examples of his work.
  47. The Artist's Struggle for Integrity / James Baldwin, 1962. PRA# BB3641. Talk on the intellectual challenge facing the modern artist. Recorded at the Community Church, New York City. BROADCAST: WBAI, 29 Nov. 1962.
  48. The Negro in American Culture, 1961 (?). PRA# BB3297. An outstanding panel on Black perceptions of the American setting in art, mainly literature and drama, featuring James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Lorraine Hansberry, Emile Capouya, and Alfred Kazin. Lorraine Hansberry excoriates the arbitrary and superficial approach to Negro character of white writers. James Baldwin describes his sense of the polarity between being a writer and a Black American in a "state of rage". Poet Langston Hughes explains himself baldly as a "propagandist".
  49. James Baldwin / interviewed by Chris Koch, 1968. PRA# BB4513. The author discusses his life and work.
  50. An Interview with James Baldwin / interviewed by Elsa Knight Thompson & John Leonard, 1963. PRA# BB0632. Discussion of his views and writings about the Civil Rights movement.
  51. Talk at the San Francisco Masonic Auditorium / James Baldwin, 1964. PRA# BB0370. Critique of modern morality and the abdication of responsibility.
  52. Two short stories / read by William Styron and James Baldwin, 1963. PRA# BB3684. Authors read their own short stories. Read by William Styron and James Baldwin. Part 1 > Lie Down in the Darkness / William Styron (14 min.), Part 2 > Giovanni's Room / James Baldwin (16 min.).
  53. to 100. Candidate tapes are currently being reviewed by PRA staff.

 

The Preservation & Access project is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Recording Academy, supporters of the Pacifica Radio Archives and listeners to Pacifica Radio stations WBAI, WPFW, KPFA, KPFK, KPFT.

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