The gallery in our library will host a photography exhibition this fall, including our first community photo archive project (title tbd). For example, we’ll invite the public to bring photos they’d like help identifying—whether to learn who’s in the picture or to discover more about deceased relatives. Other community members may be able to provide missing information about the images or first-hand historical narratives. This, with the readings, prompted me to explore how libraries across the United States have reimagined storytelling as a powerful tool for education, preservation, and community building.
These examples demonstrate how libraries are innovating storytelling programs to engage diverse audiences, promote cultural exchange, and strengthen community bonds.
St. Louis County Library’s 45th Annual Storytelling Festival
From November 13 to 23, 2024, the St. Louis County Library hosted its 45th Annual Storytelling Festival. The event featured performances by eight nationally renowned storytellers, including bilingual and American Sign Language presentations, indigenous storytelling, folklore, and writing workshops. New additions such as “Your Story On Stage,” where community stories were performed by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, enriched the festival’s offerings.
Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Art of Storytelling Program
Since 2000, the Miami-Dade Public Library System has celebrated the “Art of Storytelling” by collaborating with libraries worldwide. This program highlights storytelling’s role in education, culture, and entertainment, featuring workshops, storytelling camps, and an International Festival that attracts thousands of attendees annually.
University of Washington Libraries’ Storytelling Fellows Program
The University of Washington Libraries offers the Storytelling Fellows program, which helps students, faculty, and staff communicate their research effectively through storytelling. The program includes workshops on podcasting, digital exhibits, and video storytelling, aiming to enhance participants’ storytelling skills in various formats.
Santa Fe Public Library’s Community Storytellers Project
The Santa Fe Public Library’s Community Storytellers Project trains community members to gather oral histories, edit recordings, and archive them in a public digital repository. Through workshops and mentorships, participants create a rich living history that fosters community dialogue and healing.
Libraries have long been more than just repositories of books—they are vibrant cultural centers that breathe life into stories, connecting communities through shared experiences and diverse narratives. The power of a story lies not just in its telling but in its ability to connect us—to our history, to each other, and to ourselves. Libraries across the United States are proving that storytelling is an art form that can transform individuals and communities, one narrative at a time.