We’ve asked libraries across Colorado to submit program they’ve run in the last year that they’re proud of and they want the rest of us to see and celebrate. Sharing stories in books is great… but what about our stories? The stories of the ways our libraries bring the community together, enrich the lives of our neighbors, and serve the people who live and work in our cities and towns.
Pauline Noomnam, Programming Librarian, answered our call and we’re excited to let them tell you about Broomfield Public Library’s Write Your Story: A Memoir Workshop Series in their own words.
Library Name: Broomfield Public Library
City/ Town: Broomfield, CO
Program Name: Write Your Story: A Memoir Workshop Series
Date/ Date Range of Program: September 6, 2024
Intended Audience: Ages 55+
Description:
What can you do with all the stories of your life? Try crafting them into your memoirs. In this 4-week workshop series, we will explore different types, styles, and techniques for writing a memoir. All levels of writing experience are welcome. You are welcome to attend as many workshops as you are able.
• Session 1: Talk about what memoir is (and isn’t), and experiment with flash memoir and event memoir.
• Session 2: Explore travel memoir and write about some memorable trips.
• Session 3: How do you decide what to include in your memoirs? Look at ways to outline and organize your memories.
• Session 4: Have some fun with portrait and confessional memoir.
How did you come up with the idea for this program?
The library has partnered with non-profit Think 360 Arts on single-session visual arts programs for older adults, and we wanted to explore writing programs. The library has hosted an adult writing group for 2 years that has been well attended from the beginning, which encouraged us to pursue additional writing-focused opportunities.
In planning for the series, we were intentional about offering the program in the daytime and on a weekday in order to support our target audience’s availability.
What partners (if any) did you work with in developing or implementing this program?
Think 360 Arts connected us with the instructor, Andrea Asali.
What about this program did you find successful? How did you measure the success of this program?
100% Andrea Asali, the presenter for all 4 sessions. She developed the curriculum, facilitated writing activities, encouraged dialogue and sharing, and created safe space to be vulnerable. Quantitatively, attendance was high (16, 20, 20, 18 for each session).
Participant testimonials and feedback include: Session 1: Over half the audience (10 out of 16) shared that this is the first library program they’ve attended (10 out of 16 are target audience of 55+). Following the session, participants requested the room to be open 15 minutes before the start for time to connect with others, and partner to review/share writing experience from the previous week.
Session 2: 7 new attendees, 13 returning from session 1; 2 attendees commuted 2 hours round trip to attend; 1 attendee found out about the program through Meals on Wheels (library adult newsletter is included with meal delivery) The presenter asked attendees to share takeaways at the end, feedback included: workshop is an opportunity to build connection, feel less isolated (x3); try something new/fearful (x5); came because of a recommendation from a friend who attended session one (x6); opportunity to take care of oneself and step outside of their role as a mother and wife (x1)
Session 4: Participants opted in to exchange contact information in order to stay connected and stay motivated to continue writing. Many expressed thanks for offering this workshop, and their desire to see more writing-focused programs in the future.
Final Thoughts:
We will be pursuing more memoir writing workshops in the future. If you have the opportunity to partner with Think 360 Arts and Andrea Asali, do it!
Pauline Noomnam, Programming Librarian, has permitted us to share their contact information so that anyone interested in reaching out to them about their program can do so. It is an incredibly generous offer of which you are invited to avail yourself if you’re inspired by their work and want to celebrate them or if you have questions about ways you can follow their lead.
To reach Pauline, email them at pnoomnam@broomfield.org
Colorado State Library (and the readers of this point as well, no doubt) understands how time consuming, emotionally draining, costly (in so many ways), and challenging it can be to run a program or project. Sometimes they fail gloriously… sometimes they fail with barely a whisper. It can be hard to recover from that. You’ve worked so hard!… and it just didn’t work out. Be gentle with yourself. Self-reflect. Pick up the pieces. And then get to the next thing. It’ll be worth it.
For all those other times, be sure to celebrate. Brag about it! Feel good about yourself, the team that collaborated on your work, and the community members who participated with it. Celebrate your hard work and the value that you contribute to your community.
Tell us the story of your program just like this library did here. Submit your library’s program for a Program Spotlight featured here and shared as far as Colorado State Library news reaches.
