Libraries have always been about access to the stories of the world,
collected, cataloged, and placed on a shelf waiting to be discovered.
[Libraries] demonstrate the importance of tapping into
the collective voice of our communities.
[Libraries] demonstrate how stories can connect people of all ages
Michael Stephens, Wholehearted Librarianship
Stories are a powerful and ubiquitous method of communication that has been used in every human civilization since the dawn of time. Through storytelling, people can express themselves and connect through universal themes and experiences. As librarians, we are dedicated to ensuring equity and access to the reading and hearing of stories. We are also committed to ensuring that every story is told and every voice is heard (Stephens, 2024). A library that supports the voices of its community communicates to its public that it is a safe space, open and welcoming to all. Storytelling in the library encourages an expansive mindset, exposes users to new ideas, and provides opportunities to see what’s happening in the world and learn what’s possible beyond its doors (Paxaman, 2022). Documenting the voices of our local communities is one way that libraries are working to collect, catalog, and discover the stories of the world around us to communicate community identity, belonging, unity, and compassion.
In my community, the power of storytelling is illustrated through the University Library of the University of California, Santa Cruz’s (UCSC) extensive oral history projects. For instance, The Regional History Project has been documenting the history of the Central Coast of California and the institutional history of UC Santa Cruz since 1963. According to the Regional History Project website, an “Oral history is a method of conducting historical research through recorded interviews between a narrator with personal experience of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of adding to the historical record” (n.d.). Oral histories are a spoken account, aka a “story,” reflecting the subjective personal experience of an event; they are not an objective, comprehensive, or factual recounting of history. Used alongside secondary sources of information, an oral recounting can provide deeper insight and understanding of a historical event (Regional History Project, n.d.).
Often, oral histories make room for the voices of groups that may have been excluded from mainstream historical records, such as marginalized and oppressed people. Within the Regional History Project at UCSC, there is an ongoing documentary history project titled “Out in the Redwoods” dedicated to recording Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered History at UC Santa Cruz over the last four decades. The university has a deep history as a center for LGBT culture and activism that the University Library aims to document with a multigenerational oral history project asking its community members the question, “What was it like to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered during the past four decades at UC Santa Cruz?” (Introduction, n.d.). Giving a platform for historically marginalized and oppressed groups to tell their stories grows the collective consciousness toward acceptance, inspires empowerment and belonging, and allows people to see themselves as part of the world.
References
Paxaman, M. (2022, October 23). Challenged but not dying, the public libraries are more relevant than ever. Jutland Station.
Stephens, M. (2019). Wholehearted Librarianship: Finding Hope, Inspiration, and Balance (p.91). ALA Editions.
Stephens, M. (2024, January 20). Module 10: The Power of Stories [Lecture]. San Jose State University School of Information. https://287.hyperlib.sjsu.edu/course-modules/the-power-of-stories/
The UCSC University Library (n.d.). Out in the redwoods. Introduction. Retrieved February 24, 2024, from https://library.ucsc.edu/reg-hist/oir.exhibit/introduction
The UCSC University Library (n.d.). Regional History Project. Regional History Project. Retrieved February 24, 2024, from https://library.ucsc.edu/regional-history-project
Hi!
Thank you so much for this post. I wanted to drop in with a recommendation if you’re interested in Native literature and poetry in California; “Nature Poem” by Tommy Pico. https://tinhouse.com/book/nature-poem/ It’s a fascinating take on the recitation of oral culture of the Kumeyaay (San Diego tribe – UC San Diego is built on their territory) as it blends with a modern queer perspective of space and belonging. I think it resonates well with your final statement about how platforming a marginalized voice (in this case, in verse) “allows people to see themselves as part of the world” – especially when that world historically has not wanted to see THEM apart of IT.
That’s brilliant MJ! Thank you so much for sharing.
@jennyc Thanks for this Stories focused post that offers some strong examples of what is possible within the university and university library settings.
Wonderful piece of stories; it can bring peace, harmony, and joy; thank you, MJ.