Recycled audio

The audio interviews we record for presentation online can -- in an unexpectedly short time -- become valuable historical artifacts.

Several months ago, an interview Phil Walzer did with civil rights leader Golden Frinks took on great significance when Frinks died at the age of 86. His first-person account of the integration of the schools of Hyde County, N.C., will be of interest to historians for many years to come.

On Dec. 28, when author and activist Susan Sontag died, we recalled a taped interview that Book Page Editor Peggy Deane had recorded in 2002. during the interview, Sontag had related several anecdotes that demonstrated her attention to detail and accuracy in her writing. Sontag's fans could listen to the recycled audio online as they reflected on her place in American letters.