Monday, October 19, 2020

Perhaps no modern-day event has touched the lives of so many as the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Its effects are so far-reaching that everyone has been affected; everyone has a story.

Starting in November, the Fond du Lac Public Library is inviting everyone to share their tales of how COVID-19 has touched their lives in a new history series called “Stories from Home.”

Participation is free and requires no special equipment. All patrons need is a willingness to share their experience. Did you contract COVID-19? Do you have a family member who lost their job? How did you feel about how the Fond du Lac area has changed in response to the coronavirus? 

“We're all experiencing this global pandemic together. It has changed the way we live, and everyone has something to share about it,” said Alana LaBeaf, information and outreach services coordinator for the Fond du Lac Public Library. “It's important to reflect on these changes not only to check in with ourselves and feel connected to our community, but also to preserve and share with future generations."

Recording patrons’ stories will take approximately 30 minutes and will be done by library staff at Fond du Lac Public Library. Patrons uncomfortable with coming into the library to record their stories may record themselves remotely. Contact the library to discuss your home recording options.

The goal is to eventually catalog and share the recordings at fdlpl.org and on social media, with the storyteller’s permission.

No story is too small. By sharing their tales, patrons are helping create a living history for future generations to better understand this unique time in Fond du Lac history.

For more information on how to participate, call LaBeaf at 920-322-3933 or visit fdlpl.org.