Miscellaneous Sound Recordings at the Benson Latin American Collection

Various audio recordings in the rare books and manuscripts collections of the Benson Latin American Collection. Includes oral histories, lectures, speeches, music, and other audio on phonograph, tape, and digital media.

As of 2022, formats include: 2 microcassette tapes, 253 audiocassettes, and 54 open reel audiotapes.

The first series, Oral Histories, lists interviews performed or collected by the Benson Collection or obtained as part of collection materials. Some entries in the inventory reference other collections in the library. The oral histories are listed chronologically or alphabetically.

The second series, Interviews, Lectures, and Speeches, includes recordings of classroom lectures, presentations to conventions, and radio broadcasts and the like. As with many of the amateur recordings in this collection, sound quality varies greatly.

The third series, Commercial Recordings, includes cassettes tapes of uncataloged music from Brazil, Chile, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. The bulk of the recordings were produced and/or distributed by EMI Odeón Chilena. Uncataloged numbers assigned by previous Benson staff are noted in the inventory.

The fourth series, Open Reel Recordings, includes conference, lectures, presentations, and radio programs. Uncataloged numbers assigned by previous Benson staff are noted in the inventory.