We want to hear from you. The St. Joseph Public Library is gathering personal accounts and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like to share your experiences during this time with us, have questions, or would like more information, please email us at oralhistory@sjpl.lib.mo.us or visit us at sjpl.lib.mo.us/oral-history-project/pandemicstories
We will only be accepting stories in the form of audio files. Mp3 files are preferred but we will accept .wma, .m4p, and other comparable file types. There are many ways to record your story whether it is on a voice recorder, computer, or smartphone. Please contact us if you have questions about getting started.
Please note that these interviews will be made public, so please do not include any sensitive information. If you would like to include your name and age, please do so. If you would like to remain anonymous, please let us know.
We have included some questions and suggestions to talk about.
Not sure where to start? Some topics to consider:
When did you hear about COVID-19 (coronavirus) for the first time?
How did your overall daily life change?
Keep track of the days. How did day 1 feel versus day 15, etc.
What are some of the ways you have tried to maintain normalcy?
What did you notice in the way people interacted with each other both in-person and digitally?
How did you maintain connections with people in your life?
How did work change for you?
How did you explain the situation to your children?
Did you ever think you would experience something that would impact society on a global scale, the way COVID-19 has?
Do you remember older members of your family ever talking about the Influenza Pandemic of 1918?
What would you want someone 100 years from now to know about this pandemic? What thoughts and advice might you have for them?