The Santa Cruz Public Libraries invites you to contribute to the national archive. Were you a veteran? Your story matters.

What is the Veterans History Project?

The United States Congress created the Veterans History Project (VHP) in 2000 as part of the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. VHP’s mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. Santa Cruz Public Libraries is participating in this project, along with many public libraries across the country.

What can you contribute?

Santa Cruz Public Libraries is making equipment and technical expertise available to help you tell your story. If you’re a US Veteran, from any conflict, consider documenting your story with the library. Alternatively if you are a civilian who actively supported the war effort, such as a war industry worker, flight instructor, medical volunteer, or USO worker, consider being interviewed. You’ll be contributing to both the national archive and your local community. We’ll record a conversation about your military experiences for 30 minutes or more. We’ll provide the interviewing space, supplies and equipment. There is no charge for this service. We’ll provide you with a copy of your interview and we will submit the original and any accompanying materials to the VHP project at the Library of Congress. With your permission, a copy of your materials will also remain in the Santa Cruz Public Libraries local collection.

You may contribute a video or audio interview 30 minutes or longer (Santa Cruz Public Libraries can help you create this). Additional contributions are optional and may include: 10 or more original photographs • Two-dimensional artwork • Letters • Official military documents • 20 pages or more of original unpublished memoirs, diaries or journals.

After you receive a copy, your original interview and all donated items (pictures, letters etc.) will be submitted on your behalf to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. You maintain the copyright and your contributions will be housed in a preservation environment within the permanent collections of the Library of Congress. Within a six-month processing period, all donated materials are available to researchers, scholars, students, Congress, authors, filmmakers, and anyone else visiting the Library or viewing the collections online.

How Do I Get Started?

If you are interested in participating, contact our project coordinator directly: Jennifer Cockerill at 831-427-7700 ext 7668 or email at cockerillj@santacruzpl.org.