Libraries make it easy to share family history

Unidentified woman and child. Photo courtesy Missouri Valley Spacial Collections, Kansas City Public Library.

Local libraries are making it easier for folks in Kansas City to share their stories, and they hope that will lead greater communication between the generations.

That’s the idea behind the new Generation Exchange, a program offered at the Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City, Kansas, Johnson County and Mid-Continent Public Libraries.

Young people can check out recording equipment at these libraries to interview their grandparents, neighbors and other older adults, creating a collection of stories and memories that listeners can learn from and share, the libraries say.

The libraries have Generation Exchange program kits, with instructions, recorders and sample interview questions. Program kits can be used by individuals, families, schools or groups, and interviews may be uploaded and archived at the project’s website at http://generationexchange.mymcpl.org. For information on how to participate, contact Cathy Boyer-Shesol at cboyer@marc.org.

Generation Exchange is a collaborative initiative of the Mid-America Regional Council’s KC Communities for All Ages; The Heritage Center; Johnson County Park and Recreation District; Kansas City Public Library; Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library; Johnson County Library; and Mid-Continent Public Library.

(At the Midtown KC Post, we hope if you do this, you’ll let us know so we can also share local history with our readers as part of our Uncovering History project).