Library Asks, "Tell Us Your Story"

Everyone has a story, and the library is listening. During National Library Week, April 13 - 18, Solano County Library is launching a project called Tell Us Your Story, in which the personal stories of Solano residents are shared in words, photographs and video on the library's website, www.solanolibrary.com

"Stories ignite our imaginations, and there's no place like the library to learn more about the things that make us spark," said Cara Swartz, deputy director for public services at Solano County Library. In 2008 the library was one of 18 California libraries to receive a Digital Storytelling Station grant. Along with $10,000 the library received video and audio recording equipment to implement a local digital story station.

Four stories kick off the project during National Library Week. Steve Jackson, a photographer who attended the Obama inauguration, uses photographs to tell his story of how it felt to participate in the making of history. A long time Rio Vista resident, Rudy Esperson, tells a surprising story of courtship on the beach of Ryer Island. Ilse Wurzbach's story is about a passion for California sun and cuisine, but also about the nostalgia evoked by the smell of freshly mown grass, a fragrance that reminds her of her hometown in Germany. The fourth story, in a nod to National Library Week, was crafted by library staff as a training exercise and tells the story of the library from the inside out. "Stories about our past and our communities help us figure out how we fit into the world we currently live in. The personal stories of people in our community help to bring us together and we find out that we share common ground," explains Swartz.

Free programs at Library branches will also explore the telling and recording of personal stories. Five authors will be appearing at Solano County Library branches between April 8 and June 3. Other programs for adults include a scrapbooking workshop, genealogy program, and a program featuring the art and stories of local artists. Children can attend an "I'm An Author" workshop or enjoy professional storyteller events. Teens tell their stories at poetry slam and open mic performances. A full list of events is available at www.solanolibrary.com