StoryCorps, a national initiative to document everyday history and the unique stories of America, recently arrived in Abilene to collect the stories of Abilene's residents as part of the program's cross-country tour. StoryCorps is partnering with KACU-FM, Abilene's NPR station, to air a selection of the local stories and create special programs around the project. Selected segments will also air nationally on NPR's Morning Edition.

The StoryCorps mobile StoryBooth, an Airstream trailer outfitted with a recording studio, will be parked at First Financial Bank in Abilene for 28 days, and will be open 9:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Thursdays through Mondays. StoryCorps hopes to collect hundreds of interviews during its stay in Abilene.

"StoryCorps doesn't usually make stops in cities our size, but they wanted to capture the heart and soul of West Texas people for future generations," said Myra Dean, KACU-FM development director. "Not only will participants leave a bit of personal history for their own loved ones, but their sessions will be archived in the Library of Congress for future generations of Americans, as well."

At the MobileBooth, people participate in pairs – oftentimes friends or loved ones – and one interviews the other. A trained facilitator guides the participants through the interview process and handles the technical aspects of the recording. At the end of a 40-minute session, the participants walk away with a CD of their interview. With their permission, a second copy will be sent to the American Folklife Center (AFC) at the Library of Congress where it becomes part of a high quality digital archive. This collection will eventually grow into an oral history of America.

"Anyone without a partner, but wishing to record their stories or memories, will be assisted by facilitators who travel with the MobileBooth and are trained to conduct the interview," said Dean.

StoryCorps opened its first StoryBooth, a freestanding soundproof recording studio, in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal in October 2003 and in June 2005 opened its second StoryBooth at the site of the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan.

AT&T is a sponsor of StoryCorps. with major funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). StoryCorps is a project of Sounds Portraits Productions in partnership with NPR and the American Folklife Center (AFC) at the Library of Congress.

Individuals can visit www.StoryCorps.net to make interview reservations and listen to excerpts of other stories told in the booth.

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