We began early March with uncertainty and nervous chuckles over elbow bumps and foot shakes, and seemingly every step since then has been a potent mixture of measured, data-driven steps toward economic reopening, solidarity and support for frontline workers during a crisis (the howl!) and frustrating, often self-inflicted missteps saddled by hubris and lack of national leadership.
But it’s also going to an absolutely amazing story to tell the grandkids, and their grandkids. With that in mind, the Mill Valley Library’s Lucretia Little History Room permanent collection is looking for your contributions and reflections on how you are experiencing the ongoing situation around the COVID-19 crisis.
They’re particularly on the hunt for contributions from local businesses and nonprofit organizations, whose rollercoaster ride from shelter in place to every tip-toed step toward reopening has been whiplash-inducing.
“In this challenging and unique time, we have witnessed incredible and creative examples of connection, hope, and unity,” says Natalie Snoyman, the library’s supervising librarian/archivist, who notes that submission may include photos, correspondence, journal entries and artwork (drawings, paintings or poetry).
“As you get ready to send us your materials, think about how they capture your experience and the effects of COVID-19 on your daily life,” Snoyman continues. “How has social distancing affected you? What is it like being an essential worker? What has the transition to telecommuting been like? What changes have you noticed in your daily routines and interactions with your community?”
Contributors may write a paragraph to accompany your submission (no more than 150 words) about why you chose that item, how your life has changed during this time, or anything that might help future generations understand how COVID-19 has affected Mill Valley. Send your high-resolution digital submission to: hist@cityofmillvalley.org with the subject line Submission: COVID-19 Archive. One submission per person. Also include:
- Date (when was the item created?)
- Location (address, cross-streets, and/or neighborhood that the item is referring to)
- A short title (e.g. An Abandoned Downtown, Our Family Under Stress, My Overstocked Pantry)
- Choose to include your name or remain anonymous
Additional details: “Please evaluate your privacy needs before you send us your content. Your submission may appear on our website, in our social media, in exhibitions, and in formats and channels we can’t even imagine that will be available decades from now. By sending us content, you represent that you own the content, it is original to you, and you give the Library the right to copy, display, and adapt the content in perpetuity in any media existing now or in the future.”