Popular StoryCorps Program Comes to Carrollwood Area

Carrollwood area residents will soon be able to leave their mark on history.

Tampa-Hillsborugh County Public Libraries were selected to serve as a pilot for the popular StoryCorps interviews program.

StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of their lives.

The organization uses a variety of ways to collect interviews from stationary booths, a touring trailer, door to door and via the Internet.

Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 45,000 interviews with nearly 90,000 participants, according to a press release from Hillsborough County.

The popular series can be heard on National Public Radio.

StoryCorps stories run the gamut from a woman who got a second chance at being a mother after serving a prison sentence to a tattoo artist who helps people overcome emotional scars.

The Hillsborough Libraries are among 10 selected by the American Library Association to be a part of the StoryCorps pilot program. The program is expected to be up and running by the end of the year in Hillsborough. Each library will be equipped with recording equipment and staff will be trained by StoryCorps staff to assist in interview collection.

The libraries will retain copies of all interviews and preservation copies will also be archived at the Library of Congress. there is no requirement for sharing your story with StoryCorps.

You don't even need a library card to participate.

"Our goal is to collect stories that will document and bring to life the history of our community," said Jennifer Hall, Hillsborough County Libraries spokeswoman.

The Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Ave., will serve as the pilot site for the program. 

The collection of stories will coincide with the rebuilding of the Saunders Library as an African-American research and cultural center, Hall said. Specifically-trained staff will work out of that library to conduct the recordings either by appointment or during scheduled periods of time for walk-ins.

"We're very excited about this project," Hall said. "The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System has been collecting oral histories on various topics for years, but this award will give us a greater level of expertise."

Do you listen to the StoryCorps series? Do you plan on recording your story? Tell us in the comments.