Chronicling Concord through Covid-19

Please join the Concord Free Public Library in chronicling Concord through Covid-19 for future generations! We are inspired by stories large and small of Concordians sheltering, and stepping up and helping during this time of crisis, and we feel these stories should be captured. They will become part of our Concord history.

Please send your stories or reflections, poems, haikus, photos, or videos that chronicle your experiences, whether you are sheltering in place or working in an essential service outside of the home. Submissions from Concordians of all ages are welcome as we recognize that this pandemic has affected us all.

You can submit as often as you like. Special Collections will compile and preserve your submissions, and with your permission, post selections on our website or social media.

Thank you for sharing your experience!

Questions? Please email us at specialcollections@concordlibrary.org

WHERE TO SEND SUBMISSIONS:

Website: Click HERE to go directly to the submission form (Google account required).

Email: specialcollections@concordlibrary.org

Mail:  Special Collections, Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main Street, Concord, MA 01742

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

Submissions via Web Form (see below) or Email Should be as follows:

TEXT: Include in the body of the Email OR as an attachment. File format: Word (.doc or .docx), PDF, or .txt   (There is no minimum nor maximum word count)

PHOTO: Include a caption or  description. File format: .jpg .png

VIDEO: Include a caption or description. File format: .mov .mp4

AUDIO: File format: .mp3

If submitting via Mail or Email, please include your name, address, and daytime phone number. If you prefer to remain anonymous, or discuss other restrictions, please indicate that as well.

The file upload limit is 10 files and the maximum file size is 100MB for those submitting through the Web form.

Submission will receive an acknowledgment from Special Collections staff.

PROMPTS:

  • What do you miss most being confined to your home?
  • What do you enjoy most being confined to your home?
  • Are you a shop or restaurant owner who has had to create an online business and other innovative ways of interacting with clients to hold onto your business during closures?
  • Are you a teacher and have had to learn how to manage online instruction overnight—how’s it going?
  • Are you a first responder? What is community policing like during a pandemic?
  • Are you a health care worker? What’s it like working on the front lines?
  • Perhaps you’ve learned something new or surprising from those with whom you are at-home time with—a college son or daughter? A parent? Or grandparent?
  • Are you learning new skills or brushing up on old ones?
  • What has changed about the role of technology in your life as a result of this experience?
  • What is your favorite part of the day, and why?
  • What is your least favorite part of the day, and why?
  • Do you have a poem or Haiku?
  • Create a drawing or painting of something you associate with this time or represents this experience for you.
  • How have you connected with the outside world in new ways?
  • What everyday activities or tasks have become either highlights or challenges, and why?
  • Interview each other - parents and children, siblings, partners, multi-generational households.