91´«Ã½

CHICAGO – The 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½) Public Programs Office, in partnership with StoryCorps, has announced 10 public libraries will participate in the StoryCorps @ your library program.

Funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), StoryCorps @ your library will bring StoryCorps’ popular interview methods to libraries while developing a replicable model of oral history programming.

The selected sites will receive grant funding, training and equipment to collect oral histories at their libraries. The libraries are (in alphabetical order by state):

• Juneau (Alaska) Public Library
• Monterey (California) Public Library System
• North Miami (Florida) Public Library
• Chattahoochee Valley Libraries (Columbus, Georgia)
• Breathitt County Public Library (Jackson, Kentucky)
• Flint (Michigan) Public Library
• Ferguson (Missouri) Municipal Public Libraries
• Rochester (New York) Public Library
• Providence (Rhode Island) Community Public Library
• Nisqually Indian Tribe Library (Olympia, Washington)

They will receive a two-day, in-person training on interview collection, digital recording techniques and archiving; a $2,500 stipend for project-related expenses; portable recording equipment; program and outreach strategy assistance from StoryCorps staff; promotional and technical support; and access to and use of StoryCorps’ proprietary interview database.

More than 300 libraries applied for the 10 StoryCorps @ your library spots. Winners were selected through a peer-review process.

“Libraries clearly have a finger on the pulse of their communities and are eager to document the unique histories of their patrons,” said 91´«Ã½ President Courtney Young. “We applaud this level of community engagement and hope libraries will take advantage of the additional programming resources 91´«Ã½ offers.”

“StoryCorps @ your library: A Toolkit for Success,” a free guide for developing StoryCorps-style programming, is available at .

StoryCorps and 91´«Ã½ will also offer a preconference workshop, “StoryCorps @ your library: Enhance Library Programming through Oral History,” at the 2015 Annual 91´«Ã½ Conference in San Francisco on June 26. Visit or email publicprograms@ala.org for more information.

This Storycorps @ your library grant offering represents the second phase of the StoryCorps @ your library project, following a pilot program in 2013-14. Read more about the pilot libraries at and .

About 91´«Ã½’s Public Programs Office

91´«Ã½’s Public Programs Office provides leadership, resources, training and networking opportunities that help thousands of librarians nationwide develop and host cultural programs for adult, young adult and family audiences. The mission of the 91´«Ã½ Public Programs Office is to promote cultural programming as an essential part of library service in all types of libraries. Projects include book and film discussion series, literary and cultural programs featuring authors and artists, professional development opportunities and traveling exhibitions. School, public, academic and special libraries nationwide benefit from the office’s programming initiatives.

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 Love and Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps, and All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps — all of which are New York Times bestsellers. For more information, or to listen to stories online, visit .

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s and . Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit and follow us on and .