There is nothing quite as unique or powerful as our personal stories. These stories shape not only who we are, but the environment around us. When we step into professional roles, our unique personal stories follow us into these roles and shape the institutions we become a part of. When we hold space for these stories, powerful movements arise.

In library service, the value of personal stories shows itself in a variety of ways. Diverse staffs and communities shape the way these stories play out in library services.  Through inclusive collections that tell the stories of the communities we represent, in planning programs and services that reflect this, and in a staff that mirrors the diversity of the community, libraries show how the power of stories moves us.

Perhaps one of the greatest tools in growing community is learning about those around us. Coming to know these stories through “The Human Library” project is a great example of the ways libraries invest in the power of stories. In this project, libraries create the opportunity for community growth and intentional exchange of ideas by curating a group of diverse individuals as “books” available for “rental” (Wentz, 2013).  When “readers” check out their human “book” to learn their story and ask questions, magical things happen—acknowledgment and reflection of internalized biases, open and continued dialogue, and further growth of the human library project through the passion gained for sharing these experiences (Human Library, 2021). When we have the opportunity to learn the unique narratives of the people around us, we gain understanding; and with this understanding, we become empowered participants of our communities who are equipped with knowledge of the interconnectedness of our stories and more capable of empathizing with the people around us.

 

 

The Human Library shows us just one of the many creative and innovative ways libraries are shaping their communities through the power of stories. Libraries everywhere are ramping up their inclusivity practices by diversifying their collections to represent people of all kinds. This, of course, comes in the form of books but also in many other imaginative ways. Through oral histories projects, libraries everywhere are gathering collections of oral history from members of the community, giving people the ability to share their stories with the public. Los Angeles Public Library hosts a remote oral history platform called Their.Story, helping the community “collect, preserve, and engage with audiovisual stories of their members” (LAPL, n.d.). On the site, anyone can record their story of the impact libraries have had on their lives. Other oral history collections tell stories specific to important figures or groups of people, giving us the ability to see into the personal lives of others.

StoryWalks are another way libraries are incorporating inclusive narratives into their services. The Magnolia Neighborhood branch of Seattle Public Library has hosted a StoryWalk of Indigenous stories for five years. On an outdoor trail near the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, a story is arranged on sign posts for visitors to read along their walk. Thesestories, written by native authors, share the history and culture of Indigenous communities with the public through a fun and engaging participatory event.

By sharing our stories, listening to the stories of others, and collecting and cataloguing stories to be preserved and shared with the public, libraries are doing the important work of engaging the community in meaningful reflection and learning about the people around us. Strength is found in our communities when we share the power of stories.

References:

Arne-Skidmore, E. (2021, April 8). Human library impact study. The Human Library. https://humanlibrary.org/new-study-on-the-impact-of-the-human-library/

LAPL. (n.d.). Their.Story. Los Angeles Public Library. https://www.lapl.org/theirstory

Stephens, M. (2019). Wholehearted librarianship.  ALA Editions.

 Wentz, E. (2013, April 26). The human library: Sharing the community with itself. Public libraries online. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/human_librar/