ACPL Genealogy Center Wants Stories of "Helpers"



The Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center (ACPL) is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Like many other libraries, they are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ACPL is asking the public to help them share stories of “helpers” during the coronavirus pandemic.

Director of Community Engagement for the Allen County Public Library, Stephanny Smith, told WANE 15 (Fort Wayne News): “We want to discover and share the good deeds that continue to come from this pandemic. Many of us remember Mr. Rogers telling us that in times of disaster, we should “look for the helpers.” Those helpers can be doing any good deed, large or small. The Genealogy Center wants to collect and preserve those stories for future generations.”

The ACPL tweeted details about what kinds of stories about helpers that they would like people to share with them. This includes images of someone doing something kind. The ACPL wants to make it clear that you should only share those images if you have the person’s permission to do so.

Kind deeds include: parade of teachers through their students’ neighborhood, thank you notes in front of hospitals, children helping at home, people delivering food to shut-ins, restaurants turning into take-out locations overnight, and virtual conversations with families.

In addition ACPL would like writings or recordings of a good deed. This can be in written, audio, or video format. Some examples include: a record of how someone helped you, the risk our medical staff are taking, writing about sewing masks, or teaching a family member to bake bread. Those two activities have surged while people were under “stay at home” orders.

Those who have “helper stories” to share can send an email to [email protected]. Or, if you are on social media, you can share those stories by posting them to the Genealogy Center Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts. Your helper story can become part of history.

Related Articles at FamilyTree.com:

Patten Free Library is Archiving Local COVID-19 Stories

Family History Libraries Temporarily Close Due to COVID-19

23andMe is Doing a Genetic Study on COVID-19

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