Vanessa Ames, Adult Programming Librarian at the Anderson County Library, will host a “ReposiStory Information Night” at the Main Library, 300 N. McDuffie St., from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mon., Nov. 9.
“ReposiStory” is a new oral history initiative sponsored by the library designed to digitally record and preserve interviews with Anderson County residents. Once completed, the interviews will be made available for patrons to listen to. The library received a Library Services and Technology Act grant award of over $9,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the project, administered through the SC State Library.
It is anticipated that at least 10 interviews will be scheduled each month, either at the Main Library or at branch libraries. While the focus of early interviews will be on veterans and textile mill workers, any Anderson County resident is welcome to be interviewed.
The Information Night will feature former Anderson mayor Rich Otter, author of the two-volume set, “Anderson County: Memories and Reflections.” Otter recorded over 40 interviews with Anderson residents, which were later published by the Friends of the Anderson County Library. He’ll talk about his experiences in conducting the interviews and what makes a good interview.
Also on hand to talk about “telling your story” will be Charmaine Smith-Miles, “The Storyteller” for the local daily newspaper. In addition to running a weekly feature in the newspaper, Ms. Smith-Miles has conducted classes at Anderson University’s LifeLongLearning Institute, helping people to discover and write their family stories.
“ReposiStory Information Night” is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Ms. Ames at 260-4500, ext. 121 or e-mail tellyourstory@andersonlibrary.org.
