For immediate release | March 5, 2013

ALA announces 10 pilot sites for 'StoryCorps @ your library'

Participating libraries will receive $2,500 programming stipend, StoryCorps equipment, and training

CHICAGO — The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in partnership with StoryCorps, announced that 10 public libraries have been selected to participate in the “StoryCorps @ your library” pilot program. Funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to ALA, “StoryCorps @ your library” will bring StoryCorps popular interview methods to libraries while developing a replicable model of oral history programming.

StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of our lives. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 45,000 interviews with nearly 90,000 participants.

“StoryCorps @ your library” will be implemented at the following libraries (listed in alphabetical order by state):

  • San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco.
  • Chicago Public Library, Chicago.
  • Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries, Tampa, Fla.
  • Somerville Public Library, Somerville, Mass.
  • Octavia Fellin Public Library, Gallup, N.M.
  • Bellmore Memorial Library, Bellmore, N.Y.
  • Greensboro Public Library, Greensboro, N.C.
  • Multnomah County Public Library, Portland, Ore.
  • Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tenn.
  • Smithville Public Library, Smithville, Texas

Each of the participating sites will receive:

  • A $2,500 stipend for project-related expenses.
  • A toolkit of written and web-based customizable program and promotional support materials.
  • A StoryKit (a customized set of professional recording equipment) to record on-site interviews during the grant period and retain for future use after the close of the pilot project.
  • A two-day in-person training by StoryCorps staff at the library site to orient volunteers and library staff to interview collection, digital recording techniques and archiving interviews in StoryCorps’ proprietary database.

The libraries will retain copies of all interviews and preservation copies will also be archived at the Library of Congress. Resources developed for “StoryCorps @ your library” will be made available for all public libraries. For more information, visit www.programminglibrarian.org/storycorps.

About ALA

The ALA Public Programs Office promotes cultural and community programming as an essential part of library service in all types and sizes of libraries. Successful library programming initiatives have included Let’s Talk About It reading and discussion series, traveling exhibitions, film discussion programs, the Great Stories CLUB, LIVE! @ your library and more. The website www.ProgrammingLibrarian.org brings librarians timely and valuable information to support them in the creation of high-quality cultural programs for their communities. For more information about the ALA Public Programs Office, visit www.ala.org/publicprograms.

About StoryCorps

StoryCorps’ mission is to provide people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, preserve and share their stories. Each week, millions of Americans listen to StoryCorps’ award-winning broadcasts on NPR’s Morning Edition. StoryCorps has published three books: Listening Is an Act of Loveand Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps, andAll There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps—all of which are New York Times best sellers. For more information, or to listen to stories online, visit storycorps.org.

Contact:

Angela Thullen

Program Officer

Public Programs Office (PPO)

athullen@ala.org

312-280-5286