San Mateo County Residents Have a New Digital Outlet for Their Stories

Through the California of the Past Digital Storytelling Project: Pacifica and Coastside Stories, community members from all walks of life have told their stories in 2-3 minute videos in the context of California history.

"It's sort of like eavesdropping," said Pacifica Sharp Park Library's senior library assistant Kimberly Day, who secured the state grant that made the project possible. "I really wanted to just do it to give people a chance to leave their mark on the community."

In one video, a man from Michigan talks about how he dreamed of living in California when he was a child. In "The Best Day Ever," an 11-year-old Pacifica boy details his adventures flying with an airplane stunt performer. In "Pick It Up Pacifica," a woman tells about her involvement in starting the environmental cleanup day called "Pick It Up Pacifica."

The project will reach its one-year anniversary this month. Participants include residents from Pacifica to Pescadero.

The grant, which was for $10,000 plus equipment, was provided by the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The funds were used to pay for staffing and additional supplies.

In preparation for the project, Day, along with Half Moon Bay Library's public services librarian Joe Toschik, underwent months of training in order to master the ins and outs of filming and editing, including how to burn a DVD, which each participant receives free of charge.

The two libraries are among more than 30 libraries throughout California to receive an LSTA grant for digital storytelling.

"Projects like this are really popular now," Day said. "It's great to be able to record snippets of people's lives."

Some videos are shot at the libraries, but Day and Toschik are willing to travel to scenic locales.  Day and Toschik both shoot the videos, but Day does all of the editing since the editing equipment is housed at Pacifica Sharp Park Library.

The videos from San Mateo County are compiled onto one website, which has about 32 videos so far. The grant requires that at least two videos are completed and uploaded to the site per month, though this number had been exceeded.

The grant funds will dry up in June of 2011, but Day isn't worried. The project will continue. Day has applied for additional grant funds and received another $5,000. They already have most of the supplies and equipment they need – all Day and Toschik have to do is find the time to create the videos, in addition to their regular job duties.

Two free screening events in June at the Pacifica Sharp Park Library had about 40 viewers each. Attendees watched 16 videos. Day said the viewers loved it.

Next month Toschik will have his hands full with a free screening at the Half Moon Bay Library.

"These will be new stories that haven't been shown," Toschik said. "I'm quite excited about it."

"It's really been a rewarding experience," Toschik said.

The next Digital Storytelling Project screening will take place on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. at the Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas St., Half Moon Bay. Eight to 10 videos will be shown.

To see videos from the Digital Storytelling Project, visit the San Mateo County website, or click on the Digital Story Station to see videos from across the state.

Those interested in telling their Pacifica and/or Coastside tale should call to schedule an appointment: (650) 355-5196 (Pacifica) or (650)726-2316 (Half Moon Bay).