Community Living History Project @ HCMPL
During these uncertain times, we are all a part of living history. Our families are all a part of this, and it will be talked about for generations to come. Schools are closed, businesses out of services, sports events canceled, people are isolated– all on qglobal level. HCMPL sets out to document our community’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, through writing and images. Become part of this historical record, created in real-time documentation, by submitting an entry here. Submissions can be poetry, fiction, non-fiction, memoir, ruminations and reflections, or art and photography; all forms of expression documenting how we cope, survive, and live as our lives change. Handwritten or typed, art, or record a video entry if that is the media you prefer. Record events, day to day activities, fears and feelings. Interview your family; let your children interview you. This will be a living document of these experiences, and will become an historical record that we will be able to look back on. Help us record this time through your personal lens. When this is all over, HCMPL will archive this history for our children, grandchildren and generations to come. Help us create a primary source of tangible living history. Please submit your entry here or email marketing@publiclibrary.org with the subject heading: Living History HCMPL. Please upload your art as a JPG or PNG.
Below are some suggestions of ways to record your memories. You can use one or more of these ways. • You can answer the questions that are listed below.
• You can use the questions below as family discussions and record individual responses.
• You can write a journal every day or on days when something notable happens.
• You can read or listen to the day’s headlines and react to them.
• You can begin by writing a summary of what has happened to date, and then continue with one of the methods above.
• If you share these experiences online as well, please tag the Hopkins CountyMadisonville Public Library or use #hcmpl
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You’re free to write about what you want, but below is a list of some questions you might answer to help spur your imagination.
Answer all of them or only the ones that you feel a connection with. • How long ago did you first hear about the virus? Did you pay much attention to the news of the virus when it did not affect the US? When did you start to realize that the virus might have an impact on your life?
• Has anyone you know been in quarantine because of the virus? How was that person affected? How is that person coping, physically and mentally? How were you affected? How are you coping, physically and mentally?
• What have you missed doing? Why do you miss those things?
• Regarding the changes imposed because of the virus, which
changes have had the biggest negative impact on you? What impact have they had?
• Regarding the changes imposed because of the virus, have any of the changes had a positive impact on you? If so, what were they?
• How have your shopping habits changed?
• How have your eating habits changed?
• If this were an ordinary day, what would you be doing? What are you not doing because of social distancing or other restrictions due to the virus?
• What emotions have you felt in relation to the virus?
• What emotions have you felt because of social distancing?
• How have you adjusted to practicing social distancing?
• If you’re in school, what is your prediction about when school will be held again?
• If you’re in school, what are the ways that you are getting your education (how are your teachers sending and responding to your lessons)? How do you compare working from home to working at school?
• If you’re in school, what are three things you miss about school? Why do you miss those?
• If you’re in business, what is your prediction about when all business will be open again?
• If you’re in business, what changes have you had to made for your business? Do you think you will keep any of these changes once the restrictions have been lifted? If you are working from home, how do you compare that to working at your place of employment?
• If you’re in business, what are three things you miss about your business? Why do you miss those?
• Have you had to do without any food or other items that you’d normally use or eat? If so, what are they and why can’t you get them?
• What businesses do you miss going to? Why?
• Because of the virus, have you contacted any friends or family members you don’t often speak with? Who were they (if you use pseudonyms, put quotation marks around the fake names)? What led you to connect with them? What did you learn from reconnecting with them?
• Have you done any work that you’d been putting off? If so, what is it?
• How well do you think local government has handled the situation of the virus?
• How well do you think state government has handled the situation of the virus?
• How well do you think national government has handled the situation of the virus?
• Have you seen any instances of acts of kindness? If so, what are they?
• Have you seen any instances of people behaving badly? If so, what are they? (If you use pseudonyms, put quotation marks around the fake names.)
• What is something you wish you’d done before the restrictions began? Why didn’t you get that done?
• What are three things you look forward to doing once the restrictions are lifted? Why did you choose those particular things?
• What do you do for entertainment? What movies or television shows have you watched? What books have you read? What games have you played? What hobbies have you been enjoying?
• What social media platforms have you used most often? What about these platforms has been helpful? What has not been helpful?
• Did you have any travel plans that were disrupted? If so, what were the plans, and do you think you will be able to reschedule? Why or why not?
• Have you experienced moments of sadness or fear? What were the circumstances behind those moments? What helped you get through those moments?
• Have you experienced moments of hope or gratitude? What were the circumstances behind those moments? Have you shared your experiences with others?
Please submit your entry here or email marketing@publiclibrary.org with the subject heading: Living History HCMPL. Please upload your art as a JPG or PNG