Generation Exchange was a collaborative initiative between Mid-Continent Public Library, Heritage Center, Johnson County Park & Recreation District, Johnson County Library, Kansas City Kansas Public Library, and North Kansas City Public Library.
The purpose of the project was to collect and share oral histories between generations on careers, neighborhoods, and events.
Larry Franklin has a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and an MBA. He worked for 5 years as an Analytical Chemist before moving into Information Technology. He has worked 30 years in the IT field and 20 years as a database administrator. He was manager over the IT department. He spent 12 1/2 years working at Cerner.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1957
Interviewer Birth Year: 1997
Tags from Generation Exchange:
Career decision making, Chemistry, Co-worker, College, Information Management, Information Technology, Jacob Goodman, Laboratory, Methods of education, Mid-Continent Public Library, Technology
Melissa Brown was born in Kansas City, Missouri on May 14, 1970. She lived in the Kansas City area for 18 years until she married her husband, Hollis Brown, and moved to Parris Island, South Carolina. The lived there for 3 years and gave birth to their first son, Hollis, just before returning to Kansas City in 1991. Their second son, Zach, was born in 1995. Melissa spent several years at home with her sons until they entered school. Melissa first joined the Mid-Continent Public Library Claycomo branch in 2001.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1970
Interviewer Birth Year: 1990
Tags from Generation Exchange:
Co-worker, Janet Tatum, Mid-Continent Public Library
Dan Schepis has been conservation agent for the past 3 years. He discovered this position while obtaining his Masters in Biology. Dan finds mixing his love for the outdoors and law enforcement within his job duties each day endlessly rewarding. Although his primary job duties include enforcing the wildlife code of Missouri, he takes great pride in helping the citizens of the state to explore and enjoy Missouri's natural resources.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1983
Interviewer Birth Year: 1997
Tags from Generation Exchange:
Acquaintance, Jacob Goodman, Mid-Continent Public Library
Pat Gaunce worked for USD 500 and Kansas City, Kansas Public Libraries for more than 40 years. She served as the branch manager of the West Wyandotte and F.L. Schlagle branches and was instrumental in the founding of both. A lifelong Kansas City, Kansas resident, Pat is an active volunteer in the community. She is a cancer survivor and is dedicated to promoting healthcare and wellness in Wyandotte County.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1934
Interviewer Birth Year: 1973
Tags from Generation Exchange:
1960s, 1990s, 1996 Olympics, Anne Lacey, boxing, coaching, General Motors, Inner City (Urban), Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, Kettering University, Neighborhood life, None, Schools, sports, Volunteering, Work, Wyandotte High School
Lawrence Abdalla was born in Kansas City, Missouri and later moved to Kansas City, Kansas where he graduated from Wyandotte High School. He studied engineering at Kettering University and worked for several years at General Motors. After taking an early retirement, he became a successful boxing coach.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1954
Interviewer Birth Year: 1973
Tags from Generation Exchange:
1960s, 1990s, 1996 Olympics, Anne Lacey, boxing, coaching, General Motors, Inner City (Urban), Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, Kettering University, Neighborhood life, None, Schools, sports, Volunteering, Work, Wyandotte High School
The ladies of the Valley View United Methodist Church Faith Circle are Deanna Klein, Sammie Snell, Louise Evans, Pat Chambliss, Ginny Snider, Lavon Hayman. In this interview six women, ages 70 to 80, share their childhood memories of the telephone, radio, movies and music. Two of the women grew up in Johnson County and the others in the midwest.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1935
Interviewer Birth Year: 1942
Tags from Generation Exchange:
1930s, 1940s, Deanna Klein, Friend, Johnson County Library, Music, Rural (Farm), Suburbs, Technology that was important to kids in the 30s and 40s
Every year KCPT / PBS sponsors a young writers contest for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Ronan, Eleanor, Owen, William, Ayanna were a few of this year's winners. Each was interviewed by children's author, Donna Keith at the Woodneath Library Center on May 29th, 2015.
Interviewer Birth Year: 1959
Tags from Generation Exchange:
Authors, Donna Keith, Mid-Continent Public Library, None, Writing
Every year KCPT / PBS sponsors a young writers contest for students in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Sophia, Madeline, Ishya, Finland, Jana and Clark were a few of this year's winners. Each was interviewed by children's author, Ann Ingalls at the Woodneath Library Center on May 29th, 2015.
Interviewer Birth Year: 1949
Tags from Generation Exchange:
Ann Ingalls, Authors, Mid-Continent Public Library, None, Writing
Mike Burke served on the Mid-Continent Public Board of Directors from 1979-1982. This interview was recorded at the MCPL Family Reunion by Andie Paloutzian on Sunday May 31, 2015 at Arrowhead Stadium on the 50 year history of the library system.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1949
Interviewer Birth Year: 1979
Tags from Generation Exchange:
Andie Paloutzian, Mid-Continent Public Library, None
Vida Peers worked at Mid-Continent Public Library Headquarters from 1960-1977. She is now retired. This interview was recorded at the MCPL Family Reunion by Graham Fox (Assistant Manager of the Blue Ridge location) on Sunday May 31, 2015 at Arrowhead Stadium on the 50 year history of the library system.
Title
Sue Thompson interview - 07/08/2015
Description
Sue Thompson was born in Merriam, Kansas and moved to Kansas City, Kansas after she married her husband, Chuck. They raised two boys together and Sue spent many years volunteering for the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, the Bar Association Auxiliary as well as other Wyandotte County organizations. After the tragic death of her husband, she returned to Johnson County to care for her father.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1919
Interviewer Birth Year: 1980
Tags from Generation Exchange:
Graham Fox, Mid-Continent Public Library, None
Dora Munyon experienced many difficulties in her early life. Family troubles resulted in a separation from her siblings and placement in an orphanage. After unsuccessful marriages and issues with alcoholism, she eventually met and married the love of her life. She also became a foster grandparent working with Kansas City, Kansas 5th graders which she found very fulfilling. She credits her faith for carrying her through the difficult times and would like to write a book about her life some day.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1935
Interviewer Birth Year: 1973
Tags from Generation Exchange:
1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, alcoholism, alzheimer's, Anne Lacey, Armourdale, Changing neighborhoods, Childhood and family, Christian, Faith communities, Foster care, Inner City (Urban), Kansas City, Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, KS, KS, living in Kansas City, None, Volunteering, welfare, Wyandotte County
Alvin Sykes has lived in Kansas City, Kansas, Kansas City, Missouri, Topeka, and Omaha, Nebraska. He is well know for his work as a human rights activist, and his search for justice based on the truth. He has conducted legal research in the several high profile cases most notably those of Steve Harvey and Emmett Till. Mr Sykes played a crucial role in getting the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act signed into law.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1956
Interviewer Birth Year: 1973
Tags from Generation Exchange:
1960s, 1980s, 1990s, Anne Lacey, Childhood and family, Civil rights, Civil Rights Movement, Downtown, Emmett Till, friendship with Herbie Hancock, human rights, Inner City (Urban), Jazz, Kansas City, Kansas City History, Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, KS, murder of Steve Harvey, Music, None, public libraries, victim's rights advocacy, Volunteering, Work, Wyandotte County
Sue Thompson was born in Merriam, Kansas and moved to Kansas City, Kansas after she married her husband, Chuck. They raised two boys together and Sue spent many years volunteering for the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, the Bar Association Auxiliary as well as other Wyandotte County organizations. After the tragic death of her husband, she returned to Johnson County to care for her father.
Interviewee Birth Year: 1941
Interviewer Birth Year: 1973
Tags from Generation Exchange:
1970s, 1980s, 1990s, Anne Lacey, Changing neighborhoods, Downtown, Homes, Inner City (Urban), Kansas City, Kansas City stereotypes, Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, Library, Merriam, Mission, Neighborhood life, None, Schools, Shawnee Mission North, Suburbs, Sumner Academy, surviving the murder of a spouse, the 1976 Freedom Train, Volunteering, Wyandotte County
