Libraries

Tips for Celebrating Talk Story @ Your Library

• Be open – doing multicultural storytimes and programs can be daunting – especially when using a culture you might not be familiar with or one in which you might be afraid to pronounce the words.  But don’t be afraid – it’s the effort and the thought that counts.  Just make sure to use all the resources available to you in the library and on the internet as well as community members.  There are videos and audiobooks to help you prounounce those pesky 14 letter Hawaiian words without more than 2 consonants and there are books to help you with the details of different cultures so that you don’t misrepresent any stories, songs, or art activities.

• Talk to Your Community – you never know who could help you.  Maybe there is an Asian Pacific Islander or American Indian Resource Center just waiting for you to ask them for help and you never knew it!  Resource centers can not only offer their expertise but may also be able to help you find a storyteller or dance group.  Civic clubs and ethnic groups abound, sometimes in the most unlikely of places, so be sure to look high and low.

• Plan Ahead – sometimes, with cultures that may be less prominent in mainstream society, it is more difficult locating books and materials to use in your program.  Don’t let this discourage you.  The materials are out there and just need to be found.  Sometimes publishers of these materials are quite generous with donations and just happy that you asked.

• Don’t Limit Yourself or Talk Story – just because Talk Story focuses on the Asian American and Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native community doesn’t mean you can only do these programs during May (Asian American Month) or November (American Indian Heritage Month).  All of these cultures have holidays and festivals year round, which would allow you to put on these events.  Or, do them just because!

• Don’t Worry About Funds – The great thing about Talk Story is that you don’t have to have loads of money to put it on, which is great in these tough economic times.  All you need is yourself, a lot of energy, and some resources from your library.  If you are lucky enough to have funds, storytellers and other types of performers (such as drum or dance groups) are great to hire as well.

• Have Fun! – The most important tip – enjoy all of your hardwork!  You’ve put a lot of effort and thought into this, so enjoy it and see the joy and appreciation in your patron’s eyes.  Make it an event they’ll remember!

• Say Thank You – Whether you’re saying Mahalo, Xie Xie, Ahe’hee, Miigwech or Quyanaq, make sure you say it to everyone who helped you and gave you support in putting on your program with a note or card.