StoryCorps presents Gathering and Sharing Stories at local library

My great-grandmother was a bread baker. She had to feed a large family on a dairy farm in Illinois, so she made bread all week long. I learned this story from my grandmother, who remembers watching her mother make those loaves. Now I think of great-grandmother Ardna when I bake bread. It’s rewarding to share and hear stories of our lives and our family’s histories, but life doesn’t often give us those opportunities.

This spring, you can sit down with a family member, friend, neighbor, or other loved one to record a conversation at Dwight Foster Public Library. The “Gathering and Sharing Stories” initiative is a partnership with StoryCorps, a national oral history non-profit, made possible with a grant from Bader Philanthropies, Inc. Librarians at nine libraries have been trained as StoryCorps Facilitators to help people share and record meaningful conversations with each other. So far, 105 stories have been recorded from people across both counties, from fun vacation memories to

“A lot of people don’t think they have a story, but we all do,” said Angela Meyers of Bridges Library System. “Your story matters. Future generations will be so grateful to hear your voice and learn about your journey.”

Ready to share your story with a loved one? Dwight Foster Public Library in Fort Atkinson is hosting recording sessions on March 25, 27, 29, and April 3, 2023. Participation is free and open to all. Bring a loved one for a conversation you’ll never forget!

Here’s what to expect during a recording session:

• You will have 40 minutes to record a conversation.
• You choose your conversation partner and what you’d like to talk about.
• The recording is audio only. No video will be taken.
• You decide whether to share your recording or keep it private.
• Facilitators can provide question prompts if needed.

How to sign up:

Contact Dwight Foster Public Library librarian Amy Christian via email or call her at 920-563-7790. If the recording dates above don’t work for you, she will be happy to set up a different time and date with you.

Have further questions? Contact Angela Meyers of Bridges Library System via email or call her at 262-896-8245. You can also find more information about the project here.