Storyteller Series Programs
Traverse des Sioux Library System was proud to present Storytellers, a series of programs held last spring that brought three notable individuals (Hall of famer and Minnesota Twins legend, Harmon Killebrew; award winning national Geographic photographer and Minnesota native, Annie Griffiths Belt, Jeannette Walls, columnist and author of the memoir The Glass Castle and the “true life novel” Half Broke Horses) to the region. All events took place from 7:00- 10:00 (due to autograph signing) and were free and open to the public.
Event Dates and Locations:
Storyteller Harmon Killebrew, Thursday, April 8, 7:00 p.m. at Church of St. Peter in St. Peter
Storyteller Annie Griffiths, Tuesday, May 4, 7:00 p.m. at South Central College Conference Center in North Mankato
Storyteller Jeannette Walls, Thursday, June 10, 7: p.m. at Martin Luther College Wittenberg Collegiate Center Auditorium in New Ulm
Storyteller Marc Brown, Saturday October 2, 10:00 a.m. at Armstrong Middle School in St. James and 2:00 p.m. at South Central College Conference Center in North Mankato
Partner Organization(s):
All Traverse des Sioux Library System member libraries
Barnes & Noble, Mankato
Church of St. Peter, St. Peter
South Central College, North Mankato
Martin Luther College, New Ulm
Armstrong Middle School, St. James
All media organizations in the nine county region
Partner Organization(s) Contribution/Role in the Program: All Traverse des Sioux Library System member libraries – Publicity and promotion and staff time for planning and coordinating the events.
Barnes & Noble, Mankato – Publicity and selling books at each event.
Church of St. Peter, St. Peter - The space was rented for a small fee, but BLC provided video/media equipment, technical help and custodial help.
South Central College, North Mankato – For the Annie Griffiths event there was no cost for the conference center rental, and SCC provided all video/media equipment, technical help and custodial help. SCC also provided volunteers and dinner for presenter and student photographers at the Annie Belt event. A small fee was paid to rent the conference center for the Marc Brown event, but technical and custodial help were provided as well as volunteers for the event.
Martin Luther College, New Ulm - Space was rented for a small fee, but MLC provided video/media equipment, technical help and custodial help.
Armstrong Middle School, St. James - The space was rented for a small fee, but BLC provided video/media equipment, technical help and custodial help.
Media in the nine county area – Promotion of events.
Harmon Killebrew – 450+ attendees, 131 evaluations returned
29% of attendees turned in an evaluation card.
94% of evaluations returned reported that attendees learned something new about Minnesota sports history.
93% of evaluations returned reported that attendees have a greater understanding of Harmon Killebrew’s role in shaping Minnesota sports history.
96% of evaluations returned reported that attendees enjoyed the program
Annie Griffiths - 115 attendees, 71 evaluations returned
62% of attendees turned in an evaluation card
92% of evaluations returned reported that attendees learned something new about environmental treasures in the United States.
100% of evaluations returned reported that attendees had a greater understanding of and appreciation for Annie Griffith’s work after attending the program.
100% of evaluations returned reported that attendees enjoyed the program.
Attached is the compiled evaluation form for more detailed end user outcomes.
Jeannette Walls – 292+ attendees, 208 evaluations returned
71% of attendees turned in an evaluation card.
97% of evaluations returned reported that attendees learned something new about the creative process of writing memoirs and/or novels
98% of evaluations returned reported that attendees had a greater understanding of and appreciation of Jeannette Wall’s work after attending the program.
99% of evaluations returned reported that attendees enjoyed the program.
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, pre-test/post-test, observations; End user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status
Harmon Killebrew EventFrom the evaluation cards returned, listed below are a few outcomes/observations/anecdotal responses from audience participants. Most of the attendees were adults and sports fans. A few children also attended:
- Baseball and sports are a part of MN history and culture. I learned about the value of MN sports fans
- I learned about Killebrew's life & passion for the game.
- Details about Harmon's days with the Twins.
- I'm 25 so I knew very little of baseball in the 60s but now I do!
- Details about Harmon's days with the Twins.
- Wow! What interesting stories he told. From Washington to MN.
- Harmon is not only relevant to past history but he is an integral part of current sports history with his involvement with the 2010 Twins.
- What a wonderful role model for kids and other players.
- Can't tell you how glad I came with my husband & our youngest son.
- Great program to give insight to young people about the history of the game.
- This was an excellent way to begin the storytellers series. A home run.
Many other outcomes are on file. Annie Griffiths EventFrom the evaluation cards returned, listed below are a few outcomes/observations/anecdotal responses from audience participants. The attendees consisted adults and students and most of them were amateur photographers or people interested in photography.
- I saw beauty in things that I never thought would be interesting.
- I thought a person needs to go to exciting places for great pics - this showed me opportunity is in my own backyard.
- Can't wait to see more of her in National Geographic, now that I've seen her in person.
- I loved her lovely hand tinted photos, what a lot of work!
- I never knew Annie Griffiths before but I have great appreciation for her work.
- I observed that her passion makes her work come alive. Stories behind the work makes me appreciate the beautiful photos even more.
- I like her simplicity - she inspired me.
- She was enthusiastic - her joy in photography was evident.
- I wasn't aware of her work - but it's very interesting to listen to her experience, stories.
- It was nice to spend an hour with truth and beauty.
- This was so inspirational to me - I'm a photographer opening my own studio - what she had to say encouraged me to want to work harder at what I do.
Many other outcomes are on file. Jeannette Walls Event From the evaluation cards returned, listed below are a few outcomes/observations/anecdotal responses from audience participants. The attendees consisted mostly of female adults, students, book club members and those that enjoy reading.
- I learned the importance of truth & perspective.
- I now understand that we all should take a good look at the events in our lives - good or bad - and realize how it influenced our life in the long run.
- I learned something about memoirs & writing. I didn't know much before.
- I learned about texture of ourselves and that we each have a story to tell.
- But I loved her story and felt I knew what she meant.
- I love hearing about an author's work from her own mouth.
- I like that she feels she is a storyteller but looks for the lessons & and is gratified by it.
- However I already had a great appreciation of her work.
- I loved her positive outlook & her belief in turning hardships into gifts.
- I realized how difficult it was for her to tell her story - picking & choosing which parts to tell & how to paint a truthful picture.
- We loved both of Jeannette's books, hearing is a wonderful treat!
- I was one who believed the best thing for her brother and sister would have been to be rescued. I understand more now that it wasn't.
Many other outcomes are on file.