Stories as Bridges to Understanding and Connection
This week, we focus on the profound role stories play in our lives and in our libraries. Stories connect us—across cultures, experiences, and generations. They help us understand one another, challenge our assumptions, and remind us of our shared humanity.
Libraries have always been about stories, but our role has expanded. We’re not just keepers of stories—we’re facilitators, amplifiers, and co-creators. Initiatives like the Human Library exemplify this shift, offering spaces where individuals can share their lived experiences directly, fostering empathy and breaking down barriers.
The DOK Library in Delft embodied this ethos with their mantra years ago: “Keep stories, make stories, share stories.” Now we can imagine the library as a platform for community storytelling, where patrons contribute to and shape the narrative landscape .
In a world that’s rapidly changing, our challenge is to ensure that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued in our spaces. This means actively seeking out and uplifting diverse voices, creating programs that invite participation, and designing environments—both physical and virtual—that are welcoming to all.
As you engage with this module, consider how storytelling can be a tool for inclusion, connection, and transformation in your library practice.
Lecture Recording
Things to Read:
- Stephens, M. (2019). “Telling Stories” in Wholehearted Librarianship, p. 91
- Stephens, M. (2019). Office Hours: With a Little Twist & Power of the Pod
- Stephens, M. (2020). Office Hours: Narrative Inquiry
- Wentz, E. (2013). The Human Library: Sharing the Community with Itself
- Eberhart, G. M. (2018). Sharing People’s Stories: StoryCorp Partners With Public Libraries.
- Ray, M. (2019). Courageous Conversations at the Human Library
- Paxaman, M. (2019). Challenged but not dying, the public libraries are more relevant than ever.
- Aarne-Skidmore, E. (2021). New Study on the Impact of the Human Library.
- Mairn, C & Terrana, J. (2022). A Library’s Listening Lab.
Things to View:
Things to Explore:
- Hamilton PL (2024) https://hamiltonstories.ca/
- National Storytelling Festival
- Popova, M. (2016). How Libraries Save Lives
- Heresay Storytelling (2018). http://heresaystorytelling.com/
- Aoteoroa Humanity Project. (n.d). Stories.
- StoryCorps Studios (n.d). StoryCorps
- StoryCorps Studios (n.d.) StoryCorps Podcast
- SMU (n.d.). Southern Methodist University Oral History and Digital Humanities Student Projects
- Storyhouse (n.d). Storyhouse Live’s Twitter.
- Wollongong Public Library. (n.d.) Meet Our Living Books.
- An Introduction to StoryCorps from our Founder
- StoryCorps YouTube Channel
- Library on the Move
Portions of module text originally written by Hyperlinked Library student Christine Barone. Module created by Elizabeth Olson.
This page was developed with support from Hyperlinked Library Insights, an AI-enhanced course partner that has been trained on the full content of INFO 287: The Hyperlinked Library, including modules, assignments, and grading criteria.