storycorps.org

A TOOLKIT FOR SUCCESS

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Contents

I. IntroductionII. GettingStartedIII. RecordingtheConversationIV. PreservingtheConversationV. HowtoMaintainaSuccessfulProgramVI. Resources&Tools

ParticipantsatGreensboroPublicLibraryaftertheirinterviewsessioninGreensboro,NC.

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I. INTRODUCTION

StoryCorps@yourlibrary(SCL)isaprogramcreatedbytheAmericanLibraryAssociation(ALA)inpartnershipwiththenationalnonprofitStoryCorps,andfundedbyagrantfromtheInstituteforMuseumandLibraryServices(IMLS).Initspilotyear,SCLtrainedpubliclibrariansacrossthecountrytorecordthestoriesoftheircommunitiesandtousethosestoriestocreatemulti-formatpublicprogrammingonbroadthemesoforalnarrative,aswellaslocalandfamilyhistory.

TheStoryCorpsinterviewmodelfosterscommunicationbypromotingtheimportanceoflistening,andwe’vefoundthatlisteningtoothers’storiescanbejustaspowerfulassharingone’sownstory.Themodelestablishesasacredspacefortwopeoplewhoknoweachothertospeakfor40uninterruptedminutesaboutwhatmatterstothemmost.BecauseeveryStoryCorpsinterviewisrecorded,itcanbepreservedandsharedforyearstocome.Wehopethatourmodelmightproveusefultolibrariansbeginninginterviewcollectionprogramsattheirinstitutions.

Followingtheprogram’spilotyear,StoryCorpsandtheAmericanLibraryAssociationcreatedthisguidetosupportlibrariesinthecreationofaninterviewcollectionprogram.Itisourhopethatthisguidewillprovidelibrarieswithinspirationandtoolsandresourcestobegincollectingtheimportantstorieswithintheirowncommunities.Librariansareinvitedtousetheseresourcestoplanandpresentengagingprograms,whiletappingintotheexpertiseandpublicappealoftheStoryCorpsmodel,thenationallyrespectedprogrammingmodelssupportedbytheALA,andthebestpracticesdevelopedbyexperiencedprogramminglibrariansduringSCL’spilotphase.

LikemanyotherorganizationsthathavecollaboratedwithStoryCorpsoverthepast10years,librariesarewellpositionedtousetheinterviewsthattheycollectascommunicationtoolsandtoraisevisibilityandawarenessoftheimportanceoflibrarieswithintheircommunities.CreatingaprograminspiredbyStoryCorps@yourlibraryoffersanidealopportunitytoforgenew

localpartnerships,engagenewaudiences,andattractadditionalsourcesoffunding.Weencourageyoutouseourmodelasaguidetocraftaprogramthatwillbenefityouandyourpatrons.However,pleasedonotethatbyusingthistoolkit,yourinstitutionwillnotbegrantedaccesstotheStoryCorpsdatabase,begivenpermissiontousetheStoryCorpsbrandname,orotherwisebesupportedbyStoryCorpsstaffineditingandarchivingeffortsrelatedtotheinterviewsyoucapture.

WeinviteyoutoshareyourexperiencesusingthisguidetopresentSCLprogramsbyemailingpublicprograms@ala.org.

StoryCorpsstaffandvolunteersatBellmoreMemorialLibraryinBellmore,NewYork.

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ABOUT STORYCORPS

StoryCorpsisanindependentnonprofitwhosemissionistoprovidepeopleofallbackgroundsandbeliefswiththeopportunitytorecord,share,andpreservethestoriesofourlives.Since2003,StoryCorpshascollectedandarchivedmorethan50,000interviewswithover90,000Participants.EachconversationisrecordedonafreeCDtoshare,andispreservedattheAmericanFolklifeCenterattheLibraryofCongress.StoryCorpsisoneofthelargestoralhistoryprojectsofitskind,andmillionslistentoourweeklybroadcastsonNPR’sMorning Edition andonourListen pages.

TheStoryCorpsprogramremindsusofoursharedhumanity,strengthensandbuildstheconnectionsbetweenpeople,teachesthevalueoflistening,andweavesintothefabricofourculturetheunderstandingthateverylifematters.Atthesametime,theinterviewswecollectserveasaninvaluablearchiveofAmericanvoicesandwisdomforfuturegenerations.

InthecomingyearswewillbuildStoryCorpsintoanenduringinstitutionthatwilltouchthelivesofeveryAmericanfamily.

ABOUT ALA

Establishedin1876,theAmericanLibraryAssociation(ALA)istheoldestandlargestlibraryassociationintheworld.Itsmissionistoprovideleadershipforthedevelopment,promotion,andimprovementoflibraryandinformationservicesandtheprofessionoflibrarianship,inordertoenhancelearningandensureaccesstoinformationforall.ALAisanonprofiteducationalorganizationofapproximately67,000members,includinglibrarians,educators,trustees,andotherinterestedcitizens.

ABOUT ALA PPO

ThroughitsPublicProgramsOffice,ALAprovidesleadership,resources,training,andnetworkingopportunitiesthathelplibrariansinpublic,academic,school,andspeciallibrariesnationwidedevelopandhostculturalexperiencesforadults,youngadults,andfamilies.Projectsincludeliveauthorandartistevents,travelingexhibitions,bookandmediadiscussionprograms,continuingeducationopportunities,andavarietyofprofessionalresourcesforlibrarians,includingtheonlineprogrammingresourcewebsite,www.ProgrammingLibrarian.org.

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II. Getting Started

IntheStoryCorpsmodel,individualschooseafriend,colleague,orlovedonetointerview.Or,interestedParticipantscometoStoryCorpsontheirowntotelltheirstory.Fromourperspective,there’snowrongwaytosetupaninterviewiftheinterviewParticipantsarewillingtospeaktooneanother.WebelievethatwhatisimportantissimplytoprovidethespaceforParticipantstolistencloselytooneanother,andtoaskthequestionsthey’vealwayswantedtoask.

Inthistoolkit,weofferguidanceonhowtocreateaprogramthatwillallowyoutorecreatetheStoryCorpsexperienceandinterviewmodelwithinyourowninstitution.Webelievethatprovidingspaceforpatronstorecordconversationsaboutwhatmattersmosttothemsupportsthecreationoflocaloralhistorycollections,engagesyourstaffandvolunteersintheissuesfacingyourcommunities,andallowsyoutoenhanceyourexistingpublicprogrammingwithnewcontentandideas.

Asyoubeginthinkingaboutestablishinganoralhistoryorinterviewcollectionprojectatyourinstitution,makesurethatyouconsiderthetimeandcommitmentittakestocarryoutsuchaneffort.Thisincludeseverythingfromconductingtrainingsontherecordingequipmenttopromotionandmarketing.Here’soursuggestedbreakdownforhowtogetstarted:

1. Assemble Your Team

Gaininginstitutionalsupportforyourprojectensuresthelongevityandsustainabilityofinterviewcollectionandpreservation.Assuch,teamworkisessentialtomakeyourprojectandrelatedprogrammingalong-termsuccess.Forthebestframeworkforsuccess,besuretoinvolvethefollowinggroupsfromthestart:

STAFFStartbyassemblingyourcoreprojectteam.Identifyaprojectlead,andspecifyindividualroles.Aprojectofthiskindcanallowstafftheopportunityforprofessionaldevelopmentbygivingthemthechancetoplayintegralrolesintheprogramming,promotion,andinterviewcollectionprocess.However,it’simportanttosetexpectationsearly,andtoacknowledgetimecommitmentsandresponsibilities.Examplesofpotentialtasksanddutiesinclude:securingprivaterecordingrooms,makingsureParticipantsknowwheretogo,trainingstaffmemberstooperatetherecordingequipmentduringtherecordingsession,andlibrarystafftimetocatalogandpreservetheinterviews.Inadditiontologisticalduties,somestaffmightserveasexcellentInterviewersorFacilitatorsfortheinterviews.

VOLUNTEERSDependingonyourstaffresources,recruitingvolunteersforsupportcanbeessentialtothesuccessofyourproject.Inaddition,involvingvolunteersengagesyourcommunity,increasesyourcapacityforinterviewcollection,andcanallowforincreasedprogramvisibility.TherolesvolunteerscanplayrangefromdoingoutreachtocommunitygroupstoservingasInterviewersorFacilitators.Ifyourinstitutiondoesnothaveitsownvolunteerprogram,considerapproachingthefollowingcommunity-basedorganizations:

• publicandcommunityradiostations;• highschoolandcollegeprograms,clubs,and

serviceorganizations;• civicandreligiousorganizations;and• localoralhistoryprojects.

In this section we offer basic building blocks to establishing a StoryCorps-inspired interview model at your institution. We offer tips on how to best prepare your Participants to share their story with a loved one, offer guidance on how to establish a recording location, and provide equipment recommendations.

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2. Make It Easy: Start Small

Pick a theme and name your program.Whenyoubeginyourinterviewcollectionprogram,thinkaboutwhatcommunityissuesorgoalsyoumightliketoseeaddressedininterviewsandrelatedprogramming.Tofocusyourprogram,wesuggestyoupickathemethatisbroadenoughtoappealtodiversegroupsthroughoutyourcommunity,butspecificenoughthatyoucanuseittofocusyourmarketingandpromotionalefforts.Ifyouarenotplanningtointegrateinterviewcollectionintoanexistingprogram,wealsosuggestthatyoucreateanameforyourprogramthatwillbeeasilyidentifiableandlegibletobothyourpatronsandyourinstitutionalpeers.

Give yourself plenty of time to prepare.Becomefamiliarwiththeentireprocessfromstarttofinishsoyoucanrefineitbasedoninstitutionalneeds.Learnhowtooperaterecordingequipment,testdifferentrecordingspaces,andtrainsupportstafftoaidintheprocess.Allowatleasttwoweekstoprepareforyourfirstinterview(s)andfinalizelogistics.ThiswillalsogiveyourParticipantstimetoprepareaswell.

Choose eager Participants.Sometimesgettingpeopleexcitedabouttheprojectandconfirmingtheirparticipationcanbechallenging.ChooseParticipantswhoareengagedandmotivated.Thosewhomightneedmoreconvincingcanbenefitfromseeingthesuccessofyourfirstinterviews.FormoretipsonoutreachtoParticipants,pleaseseeourResources & Toolssection.

Make adjustments and set achievable goals.Onceyou’veestablishedyourprocessforrecordinginterviews,trysettingagoalofcollectingafewinterviewseachmonth.Onceyou’vecreatedasystemthatworks,youcandeterminetheschedulethatworksbestforyou.

LOOKING CLOSER: Greensboro Public Library’s “Leaving Home”

Inconjunctionwiththeir“OneCity,OneBook”program,GreensboroPublicLibraryusedtheirbookselection,“Into The Beautiful North”byLuisAlbertoUrrea,toreachmultipleaudiences.Usingthethemeof“LeavingHome,”theGreensboroPublicLibrarygatheredthevoicesoffirst-generationcollege-boundstudents,eldersenteringassistedlivingfacilities,recentimmigrants,andAfricanAmericanswhoparticipatedintheGreatMigration.

Afamilysharestheirstoryof“LeavingHome”atGreensboroPublicLibraryaftertheirinterviewsessioninGreensboro,NorthCarolina.

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3. Establish an Interview Model

Thereisnorightorwrongwaytoconductaninterview.Nevertheless,webelieveintheimportanceofestablishinginterviewrolessothatyourpatronsandcommunitymembershaveageneralideaofwhattoexpectinaninterviewandsothatyourvolunteersandstaffareawareoftheirownresponsibilities.AtStoryCorps,weusethefollowingtermstodescribetheseindividualinterviewroles:

Participants:Thepeopleparticipatingintheinterview.

• Storyteller:Thepersonansweringquestionsandtellingstoriesduringtheinterview.

• Interviewer:Thepersonwhoasksmostofthequestionsduringtheinterview.

Facilitator:Thepersonpresentduringtheinterviewwhopromotesacomfortable,meaningfulexperiencefortheParticipantsandhandlesalltechnicalaspectsoftherecording.WeencourageFacilitatorstoworkinteamsoftwoinordertoshareresponsibilities.

4. Create a List of Questions

Preparingaheadoftimewillgreatlyimprovethequalityoftheinterviews.AgoodideaistogenerateaGreatQuestionsListthatyoucanprovidetoyourpatrons.Herearesomequestionsthathaveledtogreatconversations:

• Whataresomeofthemostimportantlessonsyouhavelearnedinlife?

• Whatareyoumostproudof?• Whatwasthehappiestmomentofyourlife?The

saddest?• Whohasbeenthebiggestinfluenceonyourlife?• Whatlessonsdidheorsheteachyou?• Howwouldyouliketoberemembered?

Formoresuggestedquestions,visitstorycorps.orgtouseouronlineQuestion Generator,orseetheGreatQuestionsListinourResources & Toolssection.Alternately,youcancreatecustomizedquestionsbasedonyourowninterestsorprogramtheme.

5. Choose an Interview Location

Weknowtheremaynotbeflexibilityinthetypeofspacewhereyourrecordingstakeplace,butwefindthatsuitablerecordinglocationscanoftenbefoundinmostlibraries.Generally,wesuggestthatyoulocateasmallroomwithadoorandaspaceforasmalltablethatcancomfortablyseattwotofourpeople.

Inchoosingyourrecordinglocation,besuretopickthequietestplacepossible.Acarpetedroomisbest.Avoidwalkwaysorplaceswherepeoplegather.BesuretoturnthevolumeoffonanyTV,radio,phone,personalelectronics,orstereo.Closethedoorandlistenforanythingelsemakingnoise,includingbuzzingfluorescentlights,tickingclocks,andairconditioners.Ifpossible,turnoffanynoisyelectronicsormovethemoutoftheroom.Quietstudyroomsormeetingroomsawayfromthemainfloorcouldbeideal.Listenfornoiseduringtheinterviewaswell,suchasjanglingjewelryorloudvoices,andfeelfreetostoptherecordingtomakechangestoyoursetup.Makethespacepeacefulandcalmbyturningthelightslow.SometimeseventhemostminoradjustmentscanenhanceParticipants’comfortandthesoundqualityoftheirrecordingimmensely.

ParticipantstalkbeforetheirinterviewatTampa-HillsboroughCountyPublicLibrarySysteminTampa,Florida.

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III. Recording the Conversation

VolunteerFacilitatorperformsasoundcheckduringtheStoryCorps@yourlibrarytrainingattheNashvillePublicLibraryinNashville,Tennessee.

FacilitatorsetsupequipmentduringtheStoryCorps@yourlibrarytrainingatSmithvillePublicLibraryinSmithville,Texas.

1. Purchase Recording Equipment

Thebasiccomponentsneededtorecordinterviewsareadigitalrecorder,amicrophone,andheadphones.Youcanfindbothbasicandmoresophisticatedrecordingequipmentatyourlocalelectronicsstoreorforpurchaseonline.Whateverrecordingequipmentyouchoose,westronglysuggestmakingsurethatthelibrary’sstaffandvolunteersfeelconfidentandreadytouseit.SeeourEquipment RecommendationsintheResources & Toolssectionformoredetails.

2. Set Up and Test the Equipment

Besuretosetupyourequipmentandcheckthesoundbeforetheinterview.Asawaytotestyourequipment,recordyourStorytelleransweringafewprompts,suchas,“Tellmewhatyouhadforbreakfast.”Stoprecordingandthenlistentothetestrecordingtodetermineifeverythingisworkingandthatthesoundisclearandlegible.PressRECORDagainwhenyoubegintheactualinterview.

A few tips for better audio quality: • Wearheadphoneswhenrecording.Yourheadphones

areyour“ears”fortheinterview;theytellyouexactlywhatyou’llhearonthefinishedrecording.

• Whenusinganexternalmicrophone,holdthemicrophoneinyourhand,movingitbetweenyouandyourStoryteller.

• Holdthemicrophoneaboutonehandspan(about5inches)fromyourStoryteller’smouth.Ifyou’reusinganinternalmicrophoneonacamera,setupthecamerajustfarenoughawaytokeepthepictureinfocus.

• Becarefulof“mic-handling”noise.That’sthelow,rumblingsoundyouhearwhenyoumovethemicrophoneinyourhands.Usealighttouchwhenhandlingthemicrophone,andminimizemovement.

• IfyourStorytellerfidgets,respectfullyremindhimorherthatthemicrophonepicksupthesound.

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3. Create a Fun, Welcoming Atmosphere

• AsktheFacilitatororotherstafftopersonallywelcomeParticipants,andcasuallyfindoutwhattheParticipantswanttotalkaboutduringtheirinterviews.

• IfinterviewingelderlyParticipants,engagetheminconversationaftertheirinterview.Askthemtoretellastorytokeeptheirmemoryfreshandreinforcetheirfeelingofaccomplishment.

• Invitelocalpresstovisityourinstitutiontolearnmoreabouttheprogram.EmphasizethatyourinterviewParticipantsarecontributingtoyourlocalhistory.

• Considermakinginterviewsegmentsavailableforotherstoenjoy.Createanexhibitusingphotographsandquotesfrominterviews.

• Encourageolderchildrenandteenagerstointeractwiththeirlovedonesthroughyourprogram.

• MakeinterviewParticipantsfeelasifthey’repartofsomethingimportant,unique,andspecifictoyourowninstitutionandcommunity.

4. Begin the Conversation

StarttheinterviewbyhavingeachParticipantstatehisorhername,age,thedate,andthelocationoftheinterview.Forexample,“MynameisMarissaMartinez.I’m40yearsold.ThedateisNovember27,2013,andI’msittingwithmygrandfather,FrankJackson,intheBrooklynPublicLibrary.”WhiletheGreatQuestions

ListwillhelpprepareParticipantsfortheinterview,encouragethemtotrusttheirinstinctsandaskquestionsinwhateverorderfeelsright.InstructParticipantstoavoidsaying“uhhuh”orinterrupting.Instead,recommendtheyusevisualcueslikenoddingtheirheadtoencouragetheStorytellertokeepgoing.Seeour Interview Tipsonpage10formoreinformationonhowtokeeptheconversationgoing.

5. Wrap It Up

We’vefoundthat40minutesisagoodlengthoftimeforaStoryCorpsinterview,butParticipantscanspeakforaslongorasshortatimeastheylike(oraslongasyoucanaccommodate).Beforeyouturnofftherecorder,besuretoasktheStorytellerifthereisanythingelseheorshewantstotalkabout.IftheParticipantshavefinishedtheirconversation,youmightalsowanttothankthem;openingupand/orspeakingintoamicrophonecanbedifficult.Expressyourgratitude,andletthemknowthatitwasaprivilegetolistentothestory.Finally,hitSTOPonyourrecorder.

Oncetherecordingisfinished,provideParticipantswithacopyoftheinterviewandtheirphotos.YoucanalsogivetheParticipantsacertificatecommemoratingtheirparticipation.SamplecertificatesareintheResources & Tools section.

ParticipantsaftertheirinterviewsessionatSanFranciscoPublicLibraryinSanFrancisco,California.

Makesuretoletthosearoundyouknowthataninterviewistakingplace!

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Interview Tips

Taking the time to do an interview with a loved one, family member, or friend is a unique opportunity to remember someone or something important in someone else’s life. As a general guideline, we believe that allocating 40 minutes for each interview represents a good amount of time to capture a person’s story. It may seem like a long time, but it can go faster than you think! Here are some tips for Storytellers, Interviewers, and Facilitators to keep in mind when preparing for an interview.

Beforetheinterview,ask your participantsifthere’sanythingtheydoordon’twanttotalkabout.ThisisagreatopportunitytoremindParticipantsthattheyareincontroloftheirownstoriesandthatyou’retheretolisten.

Choose about 10 main questionsforyourinterview.Thiswillgiveyouabroadoutlineofwhatyouhopetocoverinyourinterviewandthedirectionsinwhichyoumightwantyourinterviewtogo.

Fromthislist,choose the first questiontogetyoustarted.Youmaywanttobeginatthebeginning,with“Wherewereyouborn?”orjumptoaspecifictimeortopicinthatperson’slifethatmostinterestsyou,suchasmilitaryserviceorparenthood.

Start with open-ended questions withoutyesornoanswers,lettingtheStorytellersteeryoutowardwhatismostimportanttohimorher.Thesequestionsshouldstartwithphraseslike,“Tellmeabout…”or“Whatwasitlike…”or“Howdidyoufeelwhen…”

Beawareofyourbody languagethroughouttheinterview.ShowingParticipantsthatyou’regenuinelyinterestedhelpsthemopenupandmakesthemfeelconfidentenoughtoindulgeinthedetails.

Keepinmindthatfuturelistenersmaynotbefamiliarwithspecificpeopleandplacesyoumention.Set up context andbackgroundfortheinterviewwhereneededwithquestionssuchas“Howdidyougetthere?”“WhowasUncleBill?”and/or“Whywashesuchaninfluenceonyou?”

Questionsthatencourage vivid detailscanbesurprisingandmaketheinterviewspecial.Goodexamplesincludequestionslike,“Canyoupaintapictureinwordsofyourchildhoodneighborhood?”“WhatdidUncleBilllooklike?”or“Whataresomeimagesthatstandoutwhenyouthinkaboutyourgrandfather?”.

Bepreparedtoask follow-up questions orveerfromyourplannedquestionlistifyou’recuriousaboutsomething.Amemoryaboutworkcouldbefollowedupwithaquestionsuchas,“Whatareyoumostproudofinyourcareer?”Youmayhearstoriesyou’veneverheardbefore.

Think of your interview as a conversation.Whilerehearsingorwritingoutyouranswersmayhelpinpreparingforyourinterview,wealsorecommendthinkingofthisasatimetohaveameaningfulconversation.Relaxandletyourwordscomenaturally.

Don’thesitatetocontribute a favorite storyabouttheStorytellerormemoriesyousharetogetherasyougoalong.Thisinterviewcanbeatimetotellyourinterviewpartnerhowmuchheorshemeanstoyou,orsharesomethingyou’vealwayswantedtotellyourpartner.

Asyouneartheendofyourinterview,think of some reflective questions as time wraps up.Examplesmightinclude,“IsthereanythingyouwanttotalkaboutthatIdidn’taskyou?”“Lookingback,whatwereyourhappiesttimes?”“Whatadvicewouldyougivetomeaboutbeingaparent?”or“Whatareyourhopesforthefuture?”

Rememberthatthe Storyteller and Interviewer model is a fluid model,andbothParticipantscantaketurnsaskingeachotherquestions.

Mostofall,relax and have fun.Enjoytheopportunitytosharethestories,thoughts,andtheclosenessthatcancomewiththisexperience.

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IV. Preserving Your Conversation

1. Archiving Interviews

SomeParticipantsrecordinterviewswithStoryCorpsprimarilytohavetheexperience:theywanttohaveanuninterrupted,intimateconversation,achancetospeakandbeheardortolistenfully.Becausewealwaysprovideeachparticipantpairwithacopyoftheirinterview,theseindividualsmaynotwishtohavetheirstoriespreservedormadeaccessibletoanyoneoutsideoftheirimmediatefamilyorfriendcircle.

However,othersparticipatesotheirstoriescanbecomepartofthehistoricalrecord.TheStoryCorpsinterviewmodeloffersauniquedivergencefromtypicaloralhistoryinterviewsinthat,whileitdoesnotnecessarilyofferacomplete,factualwho-what-when-whereaccountoftheeventsofanindividual’slife,theconversationtendstocaptureamoreemotional,affectiveaccountoflivedexperience.Theseconversationsprovevaluableaccompanimentstootherformsofarchivalrecords—documents,newsaccounts,etc.—oftenansweringthequestion“Whatdiditfeelliketobethereatthistime?”

Inordertoarchiveinterviews,it’simportanttohaveParticipantssignareleaseform,andtoofferthemtheoptionnottoreleasetheirinterviewtoyourinstitution.StoryCorpsFacilitatorsgiveParticipantsourreleaseformtosignaftertheinterview,soParticipantscandecideiftheywishtheirinterviewstobecomepartofthepublicrecordbasedonwhattheyactuallydiscussed.WerecommendthatyouexplainthereleaseformclearlytoParticipants,andnotifyParticipantsiftheinterviewswillbepostedonlineanddiscoverablebyusingasearchengine.

YoushouldalsoestablishameanstocollectimportantParticipantinformation.Forexample,everyStoryCorpsParticipantfillsoutavoluntarydatasheetthatcontainscontactinformation,demographicinformation,andaquestionthatasksforaParticipant’sidentityinhisorherownwords.

StoryCorps,theLibraryofCongress,andmanyotherinstitutionsthatarchiveoralhistoriesorpersonalnarrativesalsoofferindividualstheopportunitytoremovetheirmaterialsfromthearchiveretrospectively.Wedonotpresentthisoptionupfront(otherwisewe’dbeoverwhelmedwithpeoplechangingtheirminds),butbecauseoftheoftenemotionalcontentofthestoriesandthefactthatParticipantsdiscussthestoriesofotherfriends,familymembers,andcolleaguesweemployaliberaltakedownpolicyandcomplywithallrequeststowithdrawaninterviewfromthecollection.

LibrarystaffmemberinterviewspatronatTampa-HillsboroughCountyPublicLibrarySysteminTampa,Florida.

VolunteerFacilitatorinterviewscommunitymemberatOctaviaFellinPublicLibraryinGallup,NewMexico.

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2. Preserving Digital Files

Yourlibraryorrepositoryprobablyhasitsownguidelinesforpreservingdigitalmaterials.Werecommendthatyoubeginbackingupinterviewfilesfrom the moment you record them. That’saseasyas:

• Transferringafilefromtherecorder’sSDcardtoacomputerorserverthat’sconnectedtoabackupserver;

• transferringthefilefromtherecorder’sSDcardtoacomputerorserverandtoanexternalharddrive;or

• transferringafilefromtherecorder’sSDcardtoacomputerorserverandburningaCDorDVDcopy.

Manyfolkloristsandoralhistorianswhoworkwithdigitalmediarecommendcreatingachecksumassoonasyoucreateadigitalfilethat’sdestinedforanarchive.

3. Cataloging Interviews

LibrarypartnershavechosenavarietyofformatsforcatalogingStoryCorpsinterviews.

InstitutionswithpreexistingdigitalassetmanagementsystemslikeContentDMoftencreatecollectionsfortheiroralhistorymaterials.Someoftheseinstitutionsmakeonlyaportionoftheintervieworaneditedclipavailableforpublicaccessoffsite,withthewholeinterviewavailableonsiteatthelibrary.

Formoreinformationaboutchecksums,pleasevisittheonlineresourceOralHistoryintheDigitalAge:http://ohda.matrix.msu.edu/2012/06/resource-tutorial-on-checksum-for-digital-preservation-of-oral-history

Foronsiteuse,librarieshaveprovidedCDstopatrons,loadedfilesontoMP3playersforresearcherstolistentointhelibrary,andmadethefilesavailablethroughlisteningstationsorfileserversaccessibleviacomputerterminals.

StoryCorpshasdevelopeditsownsetofkeywords,whichpartnerlibrariesusetocatalogtheirinterviewsthroughStoryCorps@yourlibrary.WebasedoursetofkeywordsontheAmericanFolkloreSociety’sEthnographicThesaurus,availableonlineatwww.openfolklore.org/et/. YoumayalsofindanabbreviatedversionofourKey Words ListinourResources & Toolssection.

StoryCorpsinterviewshavebeencatalogedinMARC(seethecollectionattheLaCrossePublicLibrary),presentedinContentDM(MarylandDigitalLibraries,NashvillePublicLibrary,DenverPublicLibrary),andincorporatedinEADFindingAids(UniversityofTexas–Austin).

FatheranddaughterintervieweachotheratChicagoPublicLibraryinChicago,Illinois.

StoryCorps@yourlibrarytrainingatNashvillePubliclibraryinNashville,Tennessee.

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V. How to Maintain a Successful Program

1. Ideas to Make It Last

Thebestwaytomakeyouroralhistoryprogramalastingsuccessistodemonstrateitsimpact,whichextendsfarbeyondtheinterviewexperience.

Forexamplesfromourpartners,pleaseseeProgramming ExamplesintheResources & Toolssection.

PUBLICITYPublicizingyourinterviewcollectionprogramaspartofyourorganization’sprogrammingisanopportunitytoshowcaseyourcommitmenttocollectingandpreservingyourcommunity’smanystories.BeingfeaturedinlocalpressoranewsletterisagreatwaytomakeParticipantsfeelspecialandcanheightenexcitementaboutyourprogram.Someotherwaysinclude:

• Using our press release templateinourResources & Tools sectiontoinvitelocalpresstovisitduringarecordingdayandspeakwithParticipants.

• Submitting articles or op-ed pieces to a local newspaperinyourcommunity.Explainhowandwhyyourinstitutiondecidedtocollectstories,andifpossibleprovidequotesandanecdotesfromParticipants.

• Usingphotos from your recording daystoenhanceyourmarketingandcommunicationsefforts,suchasbrochuresandflyers.Writeabouttheprograminyourorganization’snewsletter.

• Postingphotos, interview clips, and articlesabouttheprogramonyourinstitution’swebsite,socialmediaaccountsand/orblog.

PARTNERSHIPSEstablishingstronglocalpartnershipsallowsyoutotakeyourprojecttothenextlevelandintroduceyourprogramandyourinstitutiontoentirelynewaudiences.Tofurtheryourprogramgoals,takeadvantageofexistingpartnershipsorusethisopportunitytoforgenewones.

High school programsregularlyencouragestudentstovolunteerwithlocalorganizationsandotherinstitutionsascommunityserviceorinexchangeforextra-creditwork.Youmayalsowanttopartnerwithalocalcollegewhereprofessorsmayhavestudentsdirectlysupportyourprogramaspartofthecurriculum.Considerworkingwithateacherinyourcommunitytocreatearegularactivitybetweenstudentsandyourinstitution.

LOOKING CLOSER:How to work with schools and teachers

ChicagoPublicLibrarypartneredwithDePaulUniversitytocreateaninnovativeprogramcenteredonits“OneBook,OneChicago”program.StoryCorpsstafftrainedDePaulstudentsenrolledinanEnglishindependentstudycoursetofacilitateinterviewscollectedinthisprogram.Forhelpinplanningyour“OneCity,OneBook”program,see:www.programminglibrarian.org/library/programs/discussion-programs/book-discussion-programs/one-book.html.

Thissectionoffersadviceandtipsonhowtomaketheinterviewsyourecordpartofyourpublicprogrammingofferings.Weofferindividualcasestudiesandsuggestionsthatillustratehowtocreatecompellingandinnovativeprograms,andsuggestwaysyoucanenhanceyourexistingprogramsbyengagingyourcommunitythroughoralnarratives.

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Local history centers, museums, and neighborhood associationsoftendesignprogramsorexhibitsthatshowcaselocalhistoryandthelivesofcommunitymembers.Yourinterviewswouldprovidearichsourceofmaterial,compellingcontent,andinspirationforartisticexpression.Inviteyourlocalcommunitytoconnectcloselywithanexhibitbyengagingtheminlistening.

Establishingapartnershipwithalocalradio stationisalsoagreatwaytoinformyourlocalcommunityaboutyourproject.Ifyoudonothaveapreexistingrelationshipwithone,thiswouldbeagreatopportunitytostartone.

2. Using StoryCorps Content

Wewelcomelibrariestouseouranimationsandbroadcastclipsintheirpromotionaleffortsand/oratlisteningevents.Pleasevisitstorycorps.orgtoaccessourmaterial.

HOST A LISTENING EVENTAlisteningeventisagreatwaytobringfriends,family,andcolleaguestogethertolistentoinspiringstoriesandtalkaboutwhatmatterstoyou.YoucanplayaportionofyourParticipants’interviewsonaCDplayerorcomputerconnectedtospeakers.Makesurethespeakervolumeisloudenoughtofilltheroom.ProjectingphotosoftheinterviewParticipantsontoascreenisaniceaddition.

PLAY AUDIO AT EVENTSStoryCorpsinterviewsareapersonalandeffectivewaytoshareyourcommunity’svoicesatboardmeetings,fundraisingevents,orconventions.Itisagreatwaytoraiseawarenessusingdifferentmediaresources.

LOOKING CLOSER:Animation, “Eyes on the Stars”

OnJanuary28,1986,NASAChallengermissionSTS-51-Lendedintragedywhentheshuttleexploded73secondsaftertakeoff.OnboardwasphysicistRonaldE.McNair,whowasthesecondAfricanAmericantoenterspace.Butfirst,hewasakidwithbigdreamsinLakeCity,SouthCarolina.

ThisisoneofStoryCorps’mostpopularclips.Wefindthatthisstoryresonateswithlibrariansandlibrariesdeeply.Formoreinformation,visitstorycorps.org/animation.

LibrarystaffandvolunteerFacilitatoratSomervillePublicLibraryinSomerville,Massachusetts.

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EDITING FULL-LENGTH INTERVIEWSStoryCorps’ownbroadcastclipsallowaParticipant’sstorytobetoldinaconciseandmeaningfulway.Atyourinstitution,youmaybeinterestedineditinginterviewsinasimilarfashion,oryoumaywanttoeditinterviewsinordertohighlightspecificissuesorconcernsthatsupportyourorganization’smissionorgoals.

Onceinterviewsareedited,youcanposttheeditedsegmentsand/orthetranscriptsofthesegmentsonline,usetheminalisteningevent,orfeaturetheminanexhibition.Before making any portion of an interview publicly available, we recommend that you call both interview Participants as a courtesy.

Westronglyrecommendthatallinterviewsegmentsbe:

• faithfultotheoveralltoneoftheconversationandrepresentativeofthesubstanceandfeeloftheinterview;

• madeavailableinanon-downloadableformat;• notmorethaneightminutesinlength(most

StoryCorpssegmentsarelessthanthreeminutes);• cohesive,tellingaparticularstoryorstickingtoa

definedtheme;• presentedinamannerthatshowscareandanintent

tohonorthesourcematerial;and• truthful(wesuggestthatyouverifythehardfactsin

thesegment).

Forfurtherrecommendationsaboutusingeditedsegmentsofinterviews,pleaseseetheResources & Toolssection.

NATIONAL DAY OF LISTENINGTheNationalDayofListeningisanewnationalholidaystartedbyStoryCorpsin2008.OnthedayafterThanksgiving,StoryCorpsaskseveryonetotakeafewminutestorecordaninterviewwithalovedone.

Byparticipatingasaninstitution,youcanhelppublicizeyouroralhistoryprogramandpostinterviewstoStoryCorps’WallofListeningtobesharednationwide.

Visitnationaldayoflistening.org formoredetails.

LOOKING CLOSER:Smithville Public Library

ThecommunityofSmithville,Texas,previouslypartneredwithStoryCorpstorecordandpreservethestoriesofpost-9/11veterans,active-dutyservicemembers,andtheirfamilies,aspartoftheMilitaryVoicesInitiative.WhentheSmithvillePublicLibrarywasselectedasanSCLpilotlibrary,itallowedthelibrarytocontinuetorecordthestoriesofveterans,expandinguponthepreviousworkdonebyStoryCorpsandstrengtheningthelibrary’stiestoitscommunity.Inthemidstoftheirprogram,SmithvillePublicLibraryhostedalisteningeventonVeteransDaythatfeaturedStoryCorpsbroadcastsandanimationsalongsidethestoriesofveteranscollectedthroughtheirSCLproject.AfterhearingsomeoftherecordingsandseeingsomeoftheStoryCorpsanimations,programattendeeswereencouragedtoscheduletheirowninterviewswiththelibrary.

StudentsfromDePaulUniversityserveasvolunteerFacilitatorsforChicagoPublicLibrary’sStoryCorps@yourlibraryprogram.

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VI. Resources & Tools

Thissectioncontainshelpfulresourcestoassistyouinplanningandimplementingyourinterviewcollectionprogram.

Resources

1. OnlineResources2. EquipmentRecommendations3. EditingFull-LengthInterviews4. TechnicalGuidelinesforEditingInterviews5. ProgrammingExamples:UsingStoryCorpsInterviews6. GreatQuestionsList7. KeyWordsListTools

1. ParticipantSchedule2. InterviewIntroductionCard3. SampleInterviewCertificates4. RecordinginProgressSign5. SamplePressRelease

ParticipantsaftertheirinterviewsessionatMultnomahCountyLibraryinPortland,Oregon.

ParticipantsaftertheirinterviewsessionattheSommervillePublicLibraryinSomeville,Massachusetts.

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StoryCorps @ your libraryisanonlineresourceforinformationabouttheSCLprogramathttp://www.programminglibrarian.org/storycorps.

The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress,StoryCorps’nationalarchivepartner,providesbasicnotesonfolklifefieldworkatwww.loc.gov/folklife/fieldwork/index.html.

Oral History in the Digital Ageisanonlineresourceforplanning,implementing,andsupportingoralhistoryprogramsatyourinstitutionathttp://ohda.matrix.msu.edu.

Oral History Association’s Principles & Best Practices for Oral Historyprovidesasetofguidelinesforthoseinterestedinconductingoralhistoriesathttp://www.oralhistory.org/about/principles-and-practices.

Activists’ Guide to Archiving Video,createdbyWitness,focusesonvideobuthasthoroughandstraightforwardtipsoncapturing,preserving,andorganizingdigitalfield-basedrecordingsathttp://archiveguide.witness.org.

Transom,anonlinepublicradiocommunity,hasextensiveproductequipmentreviewsandinstructionalrecordingguidesatwww.transom.org/tools.

Audacity featuresinstructionsandtipsfordownloading,installing,andusingtheirfreeaudioeditingsoftwareatwww.audacity.sourceforge.net.

AnephewinterviewshisuncleabouthismilitarycareeratSmithvillePublicLibraryinSmithville,Texas.

ParticipantsaftertheirinterviewsessionatNashvillePublicLibraryinNashville,Tennessee.

Online Resources

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PORTABLE DIGITAL RECORDERSDigitalrecordersstoreaudioondigitalmedialikememorycards,allowingfilestobetransferredtoacomputerforprocessing.Digitalrecordingisthemodernstandard,andallowsforthehighestqualityandintegrityofaudiofiles.

Werecommendrecordersthatfeature:• XLRinputs,whichaccommodateawidervarietyof

microphones;• capacitytorecordWAV(alsocalledPCM)audio

files;and• removablemedia,likeCompactFlashorSDcards

Average cost: $170—$600Recommended Models: Marantz PMD661, Tascam DR-40 Microphone

Plugginganexternalmicrophoneintotherecorderwillallowyoutobettercontrolsoundquality.Useoneortwomicrophonesdependingonthenumberofparticipantsyou’dliketoaccommodate.Werecommendahandheldcondensermicrophonewithadirectionalpickuppattern.Microphoneaccessories,suchasstands,mountsorcablesmaybeusefulaswell.

Average Cost: $100—$200Recommended Model: Audio-Technica ATM710

HEADPHONESUseheadphonestomonitorsoundfromtherecorder.Werecommendover-the-ear,closed-back-styleheadphonestoblockoutbackgroundnoise.

Average Cost: $50—$100Recommended Models: Sony MDR-7506, Sony MDR-7502

EXISTING EQUIPMENTInmanycases,equipmentyoualreadyown—suchascomputers,smartphones,andtablets—maybeusedforaudiorecording.

Forcomputer recording,werecommend:• USBmicrophones,whichplugdirectlyintoa

computer’sUSBport;and• low-costorfreerecordingprogramslikeReaper,

Audacity,andGarageBand

Forsmartphones and tablets,werecommend:• attachablemicrophoneslikethosemadebyBlueand

Tascam;and• recordingappslikeTascamPCMRecorderand

VoiceMemo.

Web-basedaudiosharingserviceslikeSoundcloudandAudiobooalsohavefreerecordingfunctionsbuiltintotheirwebsitesandapps.

Equipment Recommendations

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Editing Full-Length Interviews

StoryCorps’owneditedsegmentshighlightpeople’spersonalexperiencesandtheiremotionalreactionstothem.Youmaybeinterestedineditinginterviewsinasimilarway,oryoumaywanttohighlightspecificissuestalkedaboutintheinterviewthatspecificallysupportyourorganization’smissionorgoals.Werecommendthatyouincludebothinterviewparticipants’voicesinallsegments.Thisemphasizestheconversationalstyleofaninterview,aswellastheauthenticityoftheideasbeingshared.

Beforemakingtheeditedsegmentpubliclyavailable,werecommendthatyoucallbothinterviewparticipantsasacourtesy.

All edited segments should be:

• Faithfultotheoveralltoneoftheconversationandrepresentativeofthesubstanceandfeeloftheinterview.

• Ifpostedonline,inaformatthatuserscannotdownloadbutthatpermitsInternetstreamingoftheclip.

• Notmorethaneightminutesinlength;StoryCorpsrecommendssegmentsoflessthanoraboutthreeminutes.

• Cohesive,tellingaparticularstoryorstickingtoadefinedtheme.

• Presentedinamannerthatshowscareandanintenttohonorthesourcematerial.

• Truthful;wesuggestthatyouverifythehardfactsinthesegment(seepage12).

Beforedistributingastory,youwillwanttomakesurethateveryonewholistenswillunderstandthesegmentandensurethattheinformationpresentedinthesegmentistruthful.Todothat,youmustgatherbackgroundinformationaboutthestoryandwriteabrief(two-tothree-sentence)introduction.

Here’s how we do it:

• Aftereditingthesegment,wecalltheinterviewparticipantsandplayitforbothpeopletoconfirmthatwe’vegottentheirstory100%correct.

• Wedouble-checknames,spellings,andageswiththeinterviewparticipants.

• Weconfirmalldates,historicalevents,andotherinformationintheinterviewthatcouldbeverifiedbyathird-partysource.

For example:

• IfaninterviewparticipantremembershearingMartinLutherKingJr.speakinyourcityin1963,double-checkthatDr.Kingspokeinyourcityatthattime.Memoriesfade—thespeechmighthavebeengivenafewtownsoverorinadifferentyear.

• Onceyou’veconfirmedthefacts,takefiveminutestowriteanintroductiontoyourstorysothateveryonewholistenstothepiececanfullyappreciateit.Althoughthepeopleeditingthestorywillhaveheardtheentire40-minuteinterview,thepeoplelisteningtowhatyoupresentwillhearonlyafewminutesoftherecording.Makesureyourlistenershavealloftheinformationtheyneedtounderstandbothinterviewparticipants.

• Thesestepswillleaveyouwithabetter,clearer,morepowerfulstoryinthelongrun.

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Technical Guidelines for Editing Interviews Weencourageyoutoedittheinterviews(.wavfiles)fromyourcollectionforusebyyourorganization.Workingwithsoundcanbeintimidatingatfirst,butitwillberewardingonceyou’velearnedthenecessaryskills.StoryCorpsusesaprofessionalprogramcalledProToolstoeditaudio;however,thismaybetooexpensiveformostorganizations.Werecommendthatyoudownloadfreeeditingsoftware,suchasAudacity.Itwillenableyoutoexcerptandedit40-minuteinterviewsintomoreusabletwo-tofour-minutesegments,orcutuptoeightminutesofrawaudio.

Ifyou’venevereditedaudiobefore,setasideatleastonefulldaytolearnhowtooperateAudacity.Afteryou’vemasteredtheprogram,editingindividualsegmentsshouldbeprettysimple,andtheamountoftimeitwilltaketocreateafinishedproductwilldependonhowmucheditingyoudoandhowlongyourpieceis.Ifyouarefamiliarwithediting,theamountoftimeneededtolearnAudacitydecreasesaccordingly.

Directionsonhowtodownload,install,andusetheprogramareataudacity.sourceforge.net andaudacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/tutorials.html.

WORKING WITH AUDACITY SOFTWARE

IMPORTING AUDIO.TogettheaudiofromtheyourCDordatafileintoAudacity,you’llneedtoimportitontoatrack.Tocreateatrack,gototheProjectmenuatthetopofyourscreenandchoose“ImportAudio.”Then,selecttheaudioyouwishtohearandedit.Youshouldbeableto“see”thefile—everypeakandvalleyinthewaveformationissomebodytalkingortakingabreath.

PLAYING AUDIO.TowardthetopoftheAudacityscreen,you’llseebuttonsthatlooklikeonesyouwouldseeonaCDplayer.Theyworkexactlythesameway.Tobegintoheartheaudio,placethecursoratthebeginningofthetrackandpressthe“record”buttonorjusthitthespacebar.Youcanstoplisteningbypressingthespacebar.

Forquestionsorhelpwithediting,visit audacity.sourceforge.net/contact.

EXPORTING AUDIO.Whenyou’veexcerptedtheaudioselectionyouwanttouse,you’llneedtoexportthatpieceofaudio.YoucandothisbygoingtotheFilemenuandchoosing“ExportasaWav”(highquality)or“ExportasanMp3”(slightlylowerquality).Next,nameandsavethefile.ItwillthenbereadytoputonaCD,onyourwebsite,inapodcast,etc.

Werecommendeditingsegmentsinmonoformatratherthanstereo.Selectatrack,thenclick“StereoTracktoMono”undertheTracksmenu.

storycorps.org 21

EXHIBITS

• Sauk Prairie River Project partneredwithaschoolandeditedits16interviewsintosix-minutesegments.Thesegmentswereplayedattheexhibit“MuseumonMainStreet”attheSaukPrairieHighSchoolRiverArtsCenter.VisitorscouldsitinsmallkiosksandlistentothestoriesoniPods.Additionally,theschoolcreatedaphotoalbumusingthephotosofparticipantsandincludedtheinterviewCDsinthealbum.TheycreatedaphotowallattheschoolwheretheCDsweremadeavailableforlistening.

• TheShelburne MuseumdesignedtwolisteningstationstobedisplayedalongsidethenationalAlzheimer’sQuilt.Thelisteningstationscontainlocallyrecordedinterviews(producedbyVermontPublicRadio)andseveralnationallyrecordedinterviews(producedbyStoryCorps).PleasecontactStoryCorpstoobtainpermissiontouseeditedsegmentsproducedbyStoryCorps.

• Geneva History Centercelebratedtheirtownbymakingtheinterviewopportunityavailablefortheirpubliccommunityforfivedays,whichcreatedcontentforanexhibitcalled,“EveryStoryCounts:EverydayStoriesofEverydayGenevans,”whichwonanawardfortheCenter.Youcanseephotosofthebeautifulexhibithere.

• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation,whichwementioned,hostedtheMobileBoothinJune.TheybuiltatabintheirFacebook page showcasingtheinspiringstoriesofeverydaypeoplehelpingothers,here,whichislovelybutrequiresyouto“like”theirpage.Theyalsobuiltabasicmobile phone apptoaccessfromtheirVisitorCenter.

LISTENING EVENTS

• OnVeteransDay,StoryCorpsAtlantapartneredwiththeAtlanta History Center(AHC)andtheAtlantaJournalConstitution(AJC)topresent“StoriesofSacrifice:ListeningtoAmerica’sVeterans.”TheprogramoftheeventincludedvideosfromtheAHC’sVeteransHistoryProject,apiecesharedbyAJCeditorKevinRileyonreplacementsoldiers,andstoriesfromStoryCorps’MilitaryVoicesInitiative.

• ThePoints of Light Instituterecordedconversationsofcommittedvolunteersdiscussingtheroleserviceworkhadplayedintheirlives.TwooftheinterviewswereeditedbyaprofessionalproducerandplayedattheNationalConferenceonVolunteeringandServiceinNewYorkCity.

• The Robert Russa Moton Museumstartedafree“Brown-BagLunchSeries”forthepublictolistentotheStoryCorpsinterviewsabouttheircounty’scivilrightsstruggles,anddiscussthehistoryandcurrentissuestogether.TheFridaygatheringsatthemuseumhavegeneratedhealing,reconciliation,andmoreconversation.Youcanreadmoreabouttheirlisteninglunchesinalocal news article.

SPEAKERS ON PANEL EVENT

• OnSeptember16,StoryCorpsAtlantaco-hosted“ComingtoAmerica:StoriesfromAtlanta’sImmigrantandRefugeeCommunities,”withAtlantaHistoryCenter,publicradiostationWABE,WelcomingAmerica,andtheNational Civil and Human Rights Museum.Participantsrelayedtheimpactithadontheirlivestotelltheirstory.

• StoryCorps’Military Voices Initiativehosted“AStoryCorpsTalkbackattheBrooklynMuseum”presentedinconjunctionwiththeexhibition“WAR/PHOTOGRAPHY:ImagesofArmedConflictandItsAftermath.”Duringtheevent,editedclipswereplayedofstoriesfrombothveteransandwarphotographers.Followingtheclips,StoryCorpsmoderatedapaneldiscussionontheimportanceoftellingtheirstories.

Programming Examples: Using StoryCorps Interviews

storycorps.org 22

Great Questions List

Beforeyourconversation,askyourinterviewpartnerwhatheorshewouldliketotalkaboutandwhatstoriestheorshewouldliketoshare.Thenpreparealistofquestionstoaskduringtheinterview.You can use some of the suggested questions below, or come up with your own list. Formoregreatquestions,visitstorycorps.org/questions.

Great QuestionsWhatwasthehappiestmomentofyourlife?Thesaddest?Whowasthemostimportantpersoninyourlife?Canyoutellmeabouthimorher?Whatarethemostimportantlessonsyou’velearnedinlife?Whatareyouproudestofinyourlife?Howhasyourlifebeendifferentfromwhatyou’dimagined?Howwouldyouliketoberemembered?Doyouhaveanyregrets?Whatdoesyourfuturehold?Isthereanythingthatyou’venevertoldmebutwanttotellmenow?Istheresomethingaboutmethatyou’vealwayswantedtoknowbuthaveneverasked?Isthereanythingyouwantedtotalkaboutthatwedidn’tgetto?

Great Questions for FriendsWhatisyourfirstmemoryofme?Wasthereatimewhenyoudidn’tlikeme?Whatmakesussuchgoodfriends?Howwouldyoudescribeme?Howwouldyoudescribeyourself?Wherewillwebein10years?20years?Doyouthinkwe’lleverlosetouchwitheachother?Isthereanythingthatyou’vealwayswantedtotellmebuthaven’t?

Great Questions for GrandparentsWheredidyougrowup?Whatwasyourchildhoodlike?Whowereyourfavoriterelatives?Doyourememberanyofthestoriestheyusedtotellyou?Howdidyouandgrandma/grandpameet?Whatwasmymom/dadlikegrowingup?Doyourememberanysongsthatyouusedtosingto her/him?Canyousingthemnow?Wasshe/hewellbehaved?Whatistheworstthingshe/heeverdid?Whatwereyourparentslike?Whatwereyourgrandparentslike?Howwouldyouliketoberemembered?Areyouproudofme?

Great Questions for Older Community MembersHowlonghaveyoulivedin ?Howhasitchangedoverthoseyears?Whatwasitlikewhenyougrewuphere/firstmovedhere?Whatdoyoumissmostaboutthewayitusedtobe?Whoaresomeofthegreatcharactersfromhere?Doyourememberanygreatstoriesorlegendsaboutourtown?

Great Questions for ParentsDorememberwhatwasgoingthroughyourheadwhenyoufirstsawme?Howdidyouchoosemyname?WhatwasIlikeasababy?Asayoungchild?Doyourememberanyofthesongsyouusedtosingtome?Canyousingthemnow?Whatweremysiblingslike?WhatwerethehardestmomentsyouhadwhenIwas growingup?Ifyoucoulddoeverythingagain,wouldyouraise medifferently?Whatadvicewouldyougivemeaboutraisingmyownkids?Whatareyourdreamsforme?Howdidyoumeetmom/dad?Areyouproudofme?

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Great Questions about Growing UpWheredidyougrowup?Whatwasitlike?Whatisyourearliestmemory?Whowereyourparents?Whatwereyourparentslike?Howwasyourrelationshipwithyourparents?Didyougetintotrouble?Whatwastheworstthingyoudid?Doyouhaveanysiblings?Whatweretheylikegrowingup?Whatdidyoulooklike?Howwouldyoudescribeyourselfasachild?Wereyouhappy?Whatisyourbestmemoryofchildhood?Worst?Didyouhaveanickname?How’dyougetit?Whowereyourbestfriends?Whatweretheylike?Howwouldyoudescribeaperfectdaywhenyouwereyoung?Whatdidyouthinkyourlifewouldbelikewhenyouwereolder?

Great Questions about SchoolDidyouenjoyschool?Whatkindofstudentwereyou?Whatwouldyoudoforfun?Howwouldyourclassmatesrememberyou?Areyoustillfriendswithanyonefromthattimeinyourlife?Whatareyourbestmemoriesofgradeschool/high school/college/graduateschool?Worstmemories?

Great Questions about Love and RelationshipsDoyouhavealoveofyourlife?Whendidyoufirstfallinlove?Canyoutellmeaboutyourfirstkiss?Whatwasyourfirstseriousrelationship?Doyoubelieveinloveatfirstsight?Doyoueverthinkaboutpreviouslovers?Whatlessonshaveyoulearnedfromyourrelationships?

Great Questions about MarriageHowdidyoumeetyourhusband/wife?Howdidyouknowhe/shewas“theone”?Howdidyoupropose?Whatwerethebesttimes?Themostdifficulttimes?Didyoueverthinkofgettingdivorced?Didyouevergetdivorced?Canyoutellmeaboutit?Whatadvicedoyouhaveforyoungcouples?

Great Questions about WorkingWhatdoyoudoforaliving?Doyoulikeyourjob?Whatdidyouthinkyouweregoingtobewhenyougrewup?Whatdidyouwanttobewhenyougrewup?Whatlessonshasyourworklifetaughtyou?Ifyoucoulddoanythingnow,whatwouldyoudo?Why?Doyouplanonretiring?Ifso,when?Howdoyoufeel aboutit?

Great Questions about ReligionWhatroledoesreligionplayinyourlife?Whatisyourreligion?DoyoubelieveinGod?Doyoubelieveintheafterlife?Ifso,doyouthinkyou’llgotoHeaven?Haveyouexperiencedanymiracles?

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ArtActingArtComicsDanceDesignDrawingFilmGraphicDesignLiteraturePaintingPhotographyPoetryPrintmakingSculptureTheaterWriting

Beliefs, ConvictionsActivismAnti-SemitismCharms&AmuletsConservatismClassismDiscriminationFateFortuneTellingHomophobiaIntoleranceLiberalismLuckMagicMagicalPoliticalPoliticalPartiesPoliticsPrejudiceRacismScientificSegregationSexismStereotypingTalkingtotheDeadVisionsXenophobia

Community ArchitectureBarsCafesCityBlocksCityPlanningClubsCoffeeShopsCommunityBusinessesCommunityCharactersCommunityHistoryCommunityOrganizationsCornerStoresDistrictsFarmLifeGangsCityGentrificationGossip&RumorHomecomingHousesHousingProjectsLandmarksNeighborhoodLifeParadesPublichousingPubsRuralLifeRestaurantsStreetSellersSuburbsTownLifeUrbanLifeUrbanRenewals

EmotionsAngerAnxietyCatharsisDisappointmentFearGriefGuiltHappinessHateHomesicknessHope

HumiliationIntimacyJealousyLoveNostalgiaRegretReliefRemorseSadnessShynessSorrowSurpriseSympathyTrustWorthy

Education Achievements&AwardsBoardingSchoolChangesinEducationCollege,UniversityElementarySchoolFailuresGradesGraduateSchool,GradSchoolGraduationHighSchoolJuniorHighKindergartenMiddleSchoolMilitaryAcademyPreschoolProfessorsPunishmentsSchools(Types)SchoolyardBulliesSpecialEducationTeachersTeaching

Key Words List

storycorps.org 25

Family CharactersConnectionswiththeFamousCustomsExpressionsFamilySongsFeudsGenealogyHeroesHomeJokesLegendsNamingNicknamesReunionsRivalriesTraditionsTrips&ExcursionsWarStories

FoodBakingCookingDrinkingEatingEthnicFoodsFavoriteFoodsRecipesRitualFoods

Historical Eras 1940’s,Forties1950’s,Fifties 1960’s,Sixties1970’s,Seventies1980’s,Eighties1990’s,Nineties2000’sCivilRightsMovementOperationEnduringFreedomIraqWarKoreanWarOperationIraqiFreedomVietnamWarWarinAfghanistan,AfghanWarWaronTerror9/11/01,Sept.11,9/11 WorldTradeCenterbombing(1993)

WorldWarII,WWII,SecondWorldWarColdWarPearlHarborGreatDepressionVictoryinEuropeDayGulfWarVictoryinJapanDayHurricaneKatrina

HolidaysCarnival,MardiGrasChineseNewYearChristmasCincodeMayoColumbusDayDíadelosmuertosDivaliEasterGoodFridayHalloweenHannukahIndependenceDay,July4JuneteenthKwanzaaLaborDayLentMayDayMemorialDayNewYear’sDayPassoverRamadanReligiousCelebrationsSaint’sDaySaintPatrick’sDayThanksgivingValentine’sDayVeteran’sDayYomKippur

IdentityAssimilationAcculturationBisexualCitizenshipEthnicIdentityGenderIdentityHeterosexualLesbianFemaleIdentity,Womanhood

MaleIdentity,ManhoodTransgenderedIdentityGenerationalIdentityMiddleClassNationalIdentityPetsPovertyRacialIdentityRegionalIdentitySexualIdentityGay,HomosexualQueerSocialClassTribalIdentityWealth

Natural DisastersDestructionEarthquakesFloodsEscapeandSurvivalFiresFloodsHurricanesReliefOrganizationsRescueTornadosTsunamis

Music and SongComposingFavoriteSongsInstrumentMakingInstrumentPlayingListeningHabitsSinging

TransportationAirplanesBicyclesBoatsBusesCarsMotorcyclesRailroadTrainsSubwayTrainsStreetcars,TrolleysTaxisWalking

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Sample Participant Schedule

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storycorps.org 27

Mynameis____________andtodayI’mtalkingwithmy____________.

Today’sdateis____________andwe’rein_______________.

INTRODUCTION CARD

Interview Introduction Card

RELATIONSHIP,NAME

ORGANIZATIONNAMEORCITY

storycorps.org 28

Sample Interview Certificates

storycorps.org 29

Recording in Progress Sign

QU

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storycorps.org 30

Sample Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FROM: LibraryName

CONTACT:LibraryNameContactName|PhoneNumberEmail

[LIBRARYNAME]torecordinterviewsaspartofthe[NAMEOFPROGRAM]

DATE-[LIBRARYNAME]willbeginrecordingtheimportantvoicesofitscommunity,includingstoriesofthepeopleitservesandtheirfamiliesandfriends.[NAMEOFPROGRAM]isinspiredbyStoryCorps@yourlibrary,anationalprogramdesignedtohelppubliclibrariesacrossthecountrycollectthestoriesoftheircommunities.

INFORMATIONABOUTPROGRAM

InspiredbytheStoryCorpsmodel,[NAMEOFPROGRAM]interviewsarerecordedconversationsbetweentwopeoplewhoknowandcareabouteachother.

CONTACTINFORMATIONANDADDITIONALINFORMATIONONHOWPARTICIPANTSCANRECORDSTORY

About [Library Name]

LIBRARY BOILERPLATE