Monterey County, Calif. – Monterey County Free Libraries is joining with the California State Library to help document the pandemic and response through the COVID Diaries Community History Project. According to Local History Librarian Jennifer Smith, “You can share your experiences of this moment and be part of history! Your story of what it has been like for you during this time can have a lasting impact on the historical record. Let’s make sure Monterey County voices are heard and that our local experiences are never forgotten.”
To document California’s pandemic experience, the California State Library is creating a community-based archive and welcomes submissions of typed or handwritten journals, photos, videos, audio recordings, letters, email narratives, blog posts, written or recorded interviews with family or friends, artwork and drawings.
The California State Library explains, “The aim of the community-based archive is to collect, preserve and make available to the public an archive of materials created by Californians, documenting their personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
To broaden awareness about the Community History Project and encourage participation, Monterey County Free Libraries will promote the program through the County library system and with community partners. Information about the program will be available on MCFL’s website, social media channels, and Local History Digital Archive.
You can read simple instructions and submit your contribution to the archive here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/
Spanish-language instructions and submission form is available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/
For additional information, contact Jennifer Smith or see CSL’s press release here: https://www.library.ca.gov/
