Me holding a book: Dear Fahrenheit 451 at an outpost in Pacifica, CA.

Stories matter because they tap into emotion, help us remember, and motivate us to act. In my last reflection, I discussed a concept—originally a best practice from the restaurant world—that can be adapted to libraries: dreamweaving unforgettable experiences. Will Guidara of Eleven Madison Park (EMP) hires Dreamweavers whose job is to “pull legends”—creating stories for patrons to share.  If people were coming to us to add to their collection of experiences, then we saw these not as extra flourishes but as a responsibility: to give people a memory so good it enabled them to relive their experience with us. The true gift is the story that makes a Legend a legend.

Guidara (2022) writes:

Why do people put so much time and effort into a marriage proposal? Because they know it’s a story they’ll tell for the rest of their lives. The best of those stories do two things: First, they put you right back in the moment, so that you’re not just recounting the experience, but reliving it. Second, the story itself tells you that while you were having the experience, you were seen and heard [ . . . service experiences are ephemeral.]  You can take a copy of the menu home, and picture of your plate, but you can’t relive that bite of foie gras. (pp. 205-206)

In libraries, our storytellers engage, persuade, and leave a lasting impact. The Children’s Museum of Sonoma County explains How Fairy Tales Benefit Early Childhood Development:

“These timeless tales offer a wealth of benefits for early childhood development, fostering creative thinking, language skills, and more, all in a fun and engaging way”.

A well-told story can be your most effective tool. Harvard offers a leadership course called Public Narrative: Leadership, Storytelling, and Action | Harvard Kennedy School. Their program overview explains that “stories enable us to communicate our values as lived experiences rather than abstract principles. They have the power to move people and inspire change by evoking shared values that motivate others to action”. Harvard even hires actors to teach students how to tell stories.

Professor Stephens reminds students how storytelling can be a tool for inclusion, connection, and transformation in your library practice. The following video is one of the many stories from this week’s module on Stories as Bridges to Understanding and Connection that inspires and moves me:

Libraries change lives just like the bookmobile did for Storm Reyes. Stories like hers and the desire to provide open access are why I chose to serve in public libraries.

The photo above is located at the Pacifica Public Library (Sanchez) Outpost which opened on July 23, 2024.  It is a 24/7 lending machine that offers a curated collection of over 300 books and media. There is sustainable outdoor furniture, a canopy for shade, and free WiFi.

“We’re not just keepers of stories—we’re facilitators, amplifiers, and co-creators” — Michael Stephens

This outpost is an example of how a library broke down barriers to access and tells the story about innovation and solving problems within a community. If you are interested, here’s a little backstory: Pacifica celebrates Sanchez Library Outpost | Community | coastsidenews.com

I can’t wait to tell my story about my visit to the outpost—I even ran into some old friends. I sat for a spell to read and take in the fresh ocean air!

Here’s a video at the outpost: Pacifica Public Library (Sanchez) Outpost

Guidara, W. (2022). Unreasonable hospitality: The remarkable power of giving people more than they expect. Optimism Press