Stories 2000 at Smart – 4/17

More than 80 students from Smart, Sudlow, Walcott, Williams, Wood, and Young Intermediate schools interviewed 24 Irish-American senior citizens for this year’s Iowa Stories 2000 Project. After doing independent research on Irish culture, followed-up with the interview, the students created an oral history project in the form of PowerPoint presentations, storyboards, and videos that will be housed in the Davenport Public Library – Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center as primary research for future generations. These projects will be on display at the Iowa Stories 2000 Reception, taking place on Thursday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m., at Frank L. Smart Intermediate School in Davenport (1934 W 5^th Street). The public is invited to attend this special free celebration, which will feature live performances from the Mullane-Healy-O’Brien Irish Dance Company and the Quad Cities Ceili Club. Free refreshments will also be provided. For more information, contact the Library’s PR Office at 563-888-3371. This is the fourth year for the Iowa Stories 2000 Project, which is a community initiative created by former Iowa First Lady, Christie Vilsack. The goals of the program are as follows: encourage reading and sharing of family stories; rebuild a sense of community in Iowa; focus on public and school libraries as community centers for lifelong learning; foster a working relationship for school and public librarians; and to encourage non-traditional partnerships between libraries and other community organizations.  Between 2004 and 2005, students interviewed African-American seniors; in 2005-2006, students interviewed seniors with a German heritage. Last year featured our Mexican-American community. This year’s partners include: the Davenport Public Library, Davenport Community School District, Davenport Schools Museum, Celtic Heritage Trail, St. Patrick Society, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and Scott Community College. If you would like to view a project from previous years, contact the Library’s Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center at 563-326-7902.