County of Monterey
Monterey County Free Libraries

Digital Stories Oral History

StoryCorps @ Your Library

In 2015, Monterey County Free Libraries was one of 20 libraries nationwide awarded a grant to participate in StoryCorps @ Your Library. Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the American Library Association, StoryCorps @ Your Library provided Monterey County residents an opportunity to record their stories and life experiences in conversation with their friends or loved ones.

Forty-one recordings from Monterey County created through the StoryCorps @ Your Library program are archived at the StoryCorps Archive and at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Note to participants: The StoryCorps Archive allows participants to manage the privacy settings of their recorded conversations. For more information, contact StoryCorps.

California Listens Digital Storytelling

In 2016, Monterey County Free Libraries received funding from the California State Library to participate in the California Listens Digital Storytelling project. In partnership with the Berkeley-based StoryCenter, Monterey County Free Libraries provided opportunities through a two-day workshop for local residents to create their own digital stories based on their life experiences. StoryCenter partnered with California Revealed and the Internet Archive to display and archive these stories.

Here are links to the stories created through the California Listens Digital Storytelling program that are archived on California Revealed and the Internet Archive.

Say This Not That - Kristal Gaskell

Community - Jonathan De Anda

The Army Wives' Handbook - Dana Payne

My Dad, My Protector - Rose Cobarruvias

Moving to California - Be Astengo

My Father's Journey - Kris Amaral

Satay - Sirie Thongchua

What is Poverty? - Nicole Beck

Home - Orquidea Olvera

Nurturing Our Natures - Patricia Hamilton

The Reluctant Immigrant Finds Her Way Home - Jayanti Addleman

Amma - Eric Nelson

COVID Diaries

In 2020, Monterey County Free Libraries promoted the opportunity for Monterey County residents to participate in COVID Diaries, a program sponsored by the California State Library. Read more about the program, access the stories, and share your stories here.