The Great River Regional Library Staples branch is offering families and individuals the opportunity to record their personal stories through StoryCorps, a national nonprofit organization.

StoryCorps will be at the Staples Public Library Thursday, May 20, 12 noon to 8 p.m., Friday, May 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, May 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults are invited to register for a one-hour session with a family member or friend to be interviewed in a conversation that will be recorded.

StoryCorps is dedicated to recording family conversations, and through StoryCorps Staples area residents have an opportunity to record community and family stories for posterity. StoryCorps interviews are completed in a private space using high quality recording equipment. They are designed to be conversations between people who are part of each other’s lives, such as friends and family. Or, if somebody chooses to come alone, a StoryCorps facilitator can be the interviewer. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary lives of ordinary people.

StoryCorps interviews are not rehearsed

or read from notes, although interviewers are encouraged to create question

lists. The interviews are recorded, and it is the choice of the participants to have their interview archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Each participant pair receives a broadcast-quality recording of their conversation immediately after the interview. A very small percentage of interviews are edited for broadcast on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.

Interviews must be scheduled. To register or for more information, contact the Staples Public Library at 218-894-1401.

This program is funded with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota in 2008 which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage.

Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. It provides Central Minnesota residents with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, programming and information services.