How might libraries enact compassion and belonging through storytelling? Librarians at CU Boulder explored this question over the past several years and designed intentional events to better understand the possibilities. CUnique Stories was a storytelling event in celebration of our 2025-2026 campus One Read title. In an effort to center compassionate listening and community connection, the University Libraries offered a program inspired by the traditions of both Storycorps and the Human Library. Members from the campus community, Storytellers, shared their stories of finding fulfillment in their lives. Participating students, faculty, and staff, or Listeners, heard a wide range of life experiences and pathways towards finding one’s calling. Listeners and Storytellers engaged in dialogue, conversation, and exchange to strengthen community connections. During this presentation, we will share the values, processes, and materials used to design CUnique Stories and offer suggestions for how a similar program might be adapted for a variety of audiences and libraries. We will invite participants to briefly engage as Storytellers and Listeners, giving a taste of what it looks and feels like to authentically connect with others through compassionate listening. We will also share possibilities for assessment of programs like CUnique Stories.
Ample years of experience designing and facilitating engagement programming to promote connection, community, and belonging in academic libraries., University of Colorado Boulder
Ample years of experience designing and facilitating engagement programming to promote connection, community, and belonging in academic libraries., University of Colorado Boulder
Ample years of experience designing and facilitating engagement programming to promote connection, community, and belonging in academic libraries., University of Colorado Boulder
