StoryCorps CEO Robin Sparkman to Visit Scarsdale Library

Robin Sparkman, CEO of StoryCorps, will give a multimedia presentation on Thursday, November 12 at 7:30pm at the Scarsdale Library. An NPR favorite and 2015 TED Prize Winner, StoryCorps' mission is "to provide people of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of our lives." From humble beginnings in a small booth in Grand Central Station, StoryCorps has grown into the largest single collection of human voices ever recorded.

In conjunction with this program, eighth graders at Scarsdale Middle School and students at Scarsdale High School will be participating in "The Great Thanksgiving Listen," a national initiative to have students interview their elders over the Thanksgiving holiday using the StoryCorps App. Students will be able to conduct interviews following StoryCorps' guidelines, record them on their mobile devices, and save a copy in the Library of Congress.

"We are excited that the schools have chosen to participate in The Great Thanksgiving Listen," said Library Director, Elizabeth Bermel. "Ms. Sparkman's visit will be an excellent introduction to the initiative and an opportunity for parents and students alike to gain a greater understanding of the value of such an assignment. Everyone has an interesting story to tell, if we just take the time to listen."

The November 12 event is free and open to the public. To register, visit www.scarsdalelibrary.org or call the Reference Desk at 914-722-1302.