JPL Stories: About JPL Stories

About JPL Stories

JPL Stories is a series of talks given by JPLers that emphasize personal storytelling and communication of first-hand experience. The talks are traditionally held in the Hub in 111-104, and organized by the JPL Library. The series was created by Information Science Specialist Teresa Bailey, who wrote a blog post about creating it here. She fashioned the talks after storytelling platforms often found in public libraries.

The JPL Stories program is open to attendance by all who are on Lab (US and foreign national employees, affiliates, etc). As such, it is designed to capture the non-technical aspects about JPL work in an engaging format. The concept for JPL Stories is to provide an informal and experiential environment for both the storyteller and the audience in an informal atmosphere (the Hub). Stories offer an approach different from the more formal lectures, seminars, and town halls we have at JPL, and offer another way to be a part of the discussion. They typically last about an hour, though some have been shorter, others longer.

The program is flexible, and includes a cross section of storytellers from the JPL community. Stories "entertain, influence, teach, inform, and uplift. The story can take place in the past, present, or future; they can be historical or make believe; and they can be light-hearted or serious. They’re an effective way to communicate and understand an organization’s culture and can help employees develop a sense of organizational identity," said Bailey.  

The only criteria for the stories are they should be your personal JPL Story. Even though we’re a big community and we work in groups, each of us has unique experiences, personal insights, and interpretations about the work we do. Storytelling is centered.

More Information

JPLers can learn more about JPL Stories, including a list of recordings or how to become a speaker, by visiting the JPL Stories Cosmos page.