Professional and Cultural Exchange Now a Year-Round Program
Miami, Fl -- Miami-Dade County is one of the most diverse communities in the United States. Although Latin American culture is predominant, Anglo, African-American and Haitian traditions also have great influence on the flavor of the area. In support of the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s commitment to diversity, The Art of Storytelling was created, providing an exceptional opportunity for the Library to reach beyond its local borders to other countries. This innovative outreach program is comprised of international library-to-library workshops; storytelling seminars for professional tellers, educators, librarians and parents; and an international storytelling festival weekend in Miami.
Miami-Dade residents maintain strong ties to their countries of origin and are eager to have their children share those ties. Bringing cultural icons and professionals from the “mother country” to perform in library branches is a creative way of enticing people into the library, especially new immigrants who may not know the value of a free public library and all of its benefits. It also allows residents to experience each other’s culture, resulting in better understanding among the different ethnic groups that make up the community.
Each year, the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Art of Storytelling program begins with an international exchange during which storytellers and librarians research and perform their craft in each other’s country. Since 2001, the Library System has sent teams to three different library systems: Jamaica Library Service in Kingston, Jamaica; Ghana Library Board in Accra, Ghana and Dublin Public Libraries in Dublin, Ireland, with teams from these library systems then traveling in turn to Miami. The international exchanges provide a unique opportunity to expand professional development through library services workshops, round-table discussions, staff training and brainstorming sessions. The exchange further involves storytelling, cultural performances and visits to area libraries, proving that the library, as a major community institution, is crucial to economic, educational and cultural development, whether here in Miami-Dade County, or in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Now in its fourth year, the exchange has proved to be successful, having a positive impact on communities that are thousands of miles apart.
Librarians, professional storytellers, and educators spend a week touring Miami-Dade, and perform at several branch libraries, enchanting patrons who came to the presentations. Every participant leaves the workshops and Festival celebrations feeling stimulated and inspired.
The Art of Storytelling’s public face is the day-long International Storytelling Festival which is open to the entire community. The festival highlights the different cultural traditions of residents through stories, music, food and arts & crafts, stimulating the imagination and, ideally, leading to further interest in libraries and learning for those attending. It showcases one unique and rich culture each year, that of the exchange partner, while at the same time exposing people to other cultures with which they might not be familiar. Similarities among traditions are emphasized.
Because storytelling plays such an important role in education and literacy, The Art of Storytelling has expanded to include year-round storytelling and cultural activities, incorporating the intensive exchange week, workshops and festival into a broader cultural storytelling plan. For instance, when art exhibits showcasing works from other countries are scheduled, storytelling will now be a component of the planning for those exhibits, to include tales reflecting a national heritage, or the heritage of the artists. Partnerships with other community groups are in place that will allow authors to be invited to read during Children’s Book Week in November and a Storytelling Camp planned for spring 2005.
This year the festival theme will be “A Pan-Caribbean Experience”. Among the various components is a Caribbean Book Fair, authors and storytellers. Miami-Dade is a hub for international commerce and culture. And outside the boundaries of the festival, The Art of Storytelling positions the Library as the perfect conduit for unlimited, significant international partnerships and opportunities. Through The Art of Storytelling, the Library proves to be an important community resource by presenting cultural programs reflecting the County’s ethnic diversity. But, perhaps more valuable to the bigger picture, this program has given the Library a growing international presence, thereby helping to enhance the reputation of Miami-Dade County around the world as a desirable place in which to visit, live and do business.
There is still time for teachers and other professionals to register for the professional workshops May 19-20, to take place at the Main Library, 101 W. Flagler Street. For additional details and registration, please contact Patricia Faison at (305) 375-5501, faisonp@mdpls.org.
Media Contact:
Marivi Prado, Public Affairs
(305) 375-5180; pradom@mdpls.org |
