StoryCorps Essay Contest

Katie McGowan recording for StoryCorps. Photo by Tony Rinaldo.

American Libraries is offering librarians a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do a personal  StoryCorps interview with an admired mentor or colleague during the 2010 ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., June 24-29.

For a chance to win an interview slot, simply explain in 500 words or less whom you would like to interview—a mentor, colleague, or someone who inspired you to want to join the profession—and what the relationship has meant to your career. Entries will be accepted until midnight on April 15, and winners will be announced in May.

StoryCorps is the award-winning, nonprofit oral history project that honors and celebrates the lives of everyday people through listening. Since its founding in 2003, more than 50,000 people have participated, many of whom have come as a part of special initiatives to reach underrepresented voices. This is the first time StoryCorps will visit an ALA conference to capture librarians’ stories.

To win an interview slot, simply explain in 500 words or less whom you would like to interview—a mentor, colleague, or someone who inspired you to want to join the profession—and why your relationship is important and special.

Like all StoryCorps interviews, these will be archived in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Select StoryCorps interviews air weekly on NPR and can also be heard at the StoryCorps website.

In addition, American Libraries is proud to sponsor StoryCorps founder Dave Isay’s appearance at the Annual Conference on Sunday, June 27, 10:30-11:30 am. His new book, Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps, is from Penguin, and he will sign copies following the program.

Learn more about StoryCorps: “Everyday Existence.”

Go to the contest submission page.