BRIDGING THE GAP – OUR STREETS, OUR STORIES
INTERGENERATIONAL STORY SHARING & ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Attention older adults and teens:
We are continuing to Bridge the Gap between teens and older adults through storytelling and recording oral histories!
Collecting oral histories is key for deeper understanding of the past, especially the experiences of the overlooked and misunderstood in our communities. We’ve chosen to highlight our older adults and teenagers to strengthen the connection between them!
Bridging the Gap: Our Streets, Our Stories will preserve these informative and enriching narratives on our Featured Story Collections page for all to hear and to share!
Join our 5-session program this Summer; share your histories with one another, and learn interviewing and recording skills. Intergenerational family participants are welcome!
Week 1 – Thursday, July 24, 4pm – 5:30pm (Info Commons Lab)
STORIES TO TELL: There is power in your personal narrative! Let’s examine its elements – your identity, background, and experiences. Older adults and teens will consider why their story matters and what makes a story important.
[No Meeting on Thursday, July 31, 2025]
Week 2 – Thursday, August 7, 4pm – 5:30pm (Info Commons Lab)
STORIES TO HEAR: Turn your attention outward to the stories of your Bridging the Gap interview partner. Learn the power of asking questions and listening carefully to the answers. Active listening and memory exercises will be shared.
Week 3 – Thursday, August 14, 4pm – 5:30pm (Info Commons Lab)
PREPARING TO RECORD: Participants will learn about recording equipment options and test the techniques learned in pairs as a warmup to their recording sessions.
Week 4 – Thursday, August 21, 2pm – 6pm (Recording Room 1)
RECORDING SESSIONS 1, 2 & 3: Each session is 45 minutes in the recording room at the Central Branch.
Week 5 – Thursday, August 28, 2pm – 6pm (Recording Room 1)
RECORDING SESSIONS 4, 5 & 6: Each session is 40 minutes in the recording room at the Central Branch.
Registration is required and space is limited. Sign up now to share your story with us, so we can share it with everyone. Intergenerational family participants are welcome (grandparents and teen grandchildren, aunts, uncles, relatives), and so are neighbors and friends!
Contact Berena Hughes for more information: bhughes@bklynlibrary.org or 929-466-1158.
Bridging the Gap: Our Streets, Our Stories is made possible through the generosity of The Eisner Foundation.
