Seniors can learn the art of oral storytelling through a new program at the Saint John Free Public Library.
Last week, Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long announced just over $24,000 for the project, called Telling Our Stories.
Participants will learn about storytelling through a series of workshops and eventually have a chance to share their stories with the public.
Joann Hamilton-Barry, director of the Saint John Free Public Library, told our newsroom the project is a sequel to a 2016 program called Sharing Our Stories.
“We actually produced a book of seniors stories,” Hamilton-Barry said. “What we learned from that is that technology is something a lot of seniors struggle with.”
“Many are very good at going on Facebook and doing email, but when it comes to something like word processing, it’s not something they have any experience with or not much of a need to do.”
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long announcing over $24,000 in federal funding for the #SaintJohn Free Public Library. pic.twitter.com/CEoKtlzXBd
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) November 13, 2018
Hamilton-Barry said as part of the program, they plan to connect seniors with young adults to help them improve their computer and typing skills.
She said seniors have so many stories to tell, but we often do not think to ask them.
“My dad died unexpectedly and he knew how to make kites,” he made the best kites ever,” Hamilton-Barry said. I never asked him how to make a kite so now that’s gone. I could have shown my kids how to make that kite.
Part of the library will also be turned into a permanent area for oral storytelling and public presentation.
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Story by Brad Perry
Twitter: @BradMPerry
Email: perry.brad@radioabl.ca
(Photo: Brad Perry/Acadia News)
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