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What is One Small Step?
What is One Small Step?
One Small Step (OSS) is a national initiative from StoryCorps that brings people with different views together—not to debate, but to listen. Through thoughtful, humanizing questions and interactions, OSS invites participants to see one another beyond polarizing divisions. Visit the OSS website FAQ here.
One Small Step (OSS) is a national initiative from StoryCorps that brings people with different views together—not to debate, but to listen. Through thoughtful, humanizing questions and interactions, OSS invites participants to see one another beyond polarizing divisions. Visit the OSS website FAQ here.
What is OSS Libraries?
What is OSS Libraries?
OSS Libraries is a national effort to support libraries as leaders in civic engagement and bridge-building. Funded by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, this program provides free tools and training to help libraries facilitate meaningful dialogue in their communities.
OSS Libraries is a national effort to support libraries as leaders in civic engagement and bridge-building. Funded by a grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services, this program provides free tools and training to help libraries facilitate meaningful dialogue in their communities.
How does the OSS Libraries grant work?
How does the OSS Libraries grant work?
The project that created this resources unfolds in three phases:
The project that created this resources unfolds in three phases:
Phase 1: Develop adaptable tools with input from library advisors
Phase 1: Develop adaptable tools with input from library advisors
Phase 2: Test tools in libraries of various sizes and settings through a community of practice.
Phase 2: Test tools in libraries of various sizes and settings through a community of practice.
Phase 3: Distribute resources nationally so libraries everywhere can join in — that’s where you come in!
Phase 3: Distribute resources nationally so libraries everywhere can join in — that’s where you come in!
What resources are available?
What resources are available?
We’ve created a comprehensive digital resource center that includes:
We’ve created a comprehensive digital resource center that includes:
Ready-to-use, adaptable toolkits for a range of program types (active, passive, in-person, virtual)
Printable OSS conversation cards and community agreements
Facilitation resources and planning templates
Case studies from other libraries and community organizations.
Curated materials from leading civic dialogue and bridging organizations
Ready-to-use, adaptable toolkits for a range of program types (active, passive, in-person, virtual)
Printable OSS conversation cards and community agreements
Facilitation resources and planning templates
Case studies from other libraries and community organizations.
Curated materials from leading civic dialogue and bridging organizations
All resources are free, scalable, and designed to work for libraries of any size or staffing capacity.
All resources are free, scalable, and designed to work for libraries of any size or staffing capacity.
Do conversations need to be recorded like the StoryCorps interviews I hear on the radio?
Do conversations need to be recorded like the StoryCorps interviews I hear on the radio?
No! While OSS began as a recording-based initiative, many libraries are successfully using the materials without recording anything. Our tools support both recorded and non-recorded conversation formats.
No! While OSS began as a recording-based initiative, many libraries are successfully using the materials without recording anything. Our tools support both recorded and non-recorded conversation formats.
How can I get started?
How can I get started?
Start where you are. Many libraries begin by:
Start where you are. Many libraries begin by:
Displaying a question prompt or response board
Displaying a question prompt or response board
Adding OSS cards to existing groups (book clubs, ESL, teen events)
Adding OSS cards to existing groups (book clubs, ESL, teen events)
Hosting a passive reflection table or conversation station
Printing and distributing card decks for patrons to take home
Hosting a passive reflection table or conversation station
Printing and distributing card decks for patrons to take home
The program is designed to be flexible — choose what fits your space, staff time, and community goals.
The program is designed to be flexible — choose what fits your space, staff time, and community goals.
Who can participate?
Who can participate?
OSS is for everyone. Libraries have used it with teens, seniors, veterans, newcomers, and civic groups. It works best when people bring different perspectives and a shared openness to listen.
OSS is for everyone. Libraries have used it with teens, seniors, veterans, newcomers, and civic groups. It works best when people bring different perspectives and a shared openness to listen.
What kind of impact can we expect?
What kind of impact can we expect?
Libraries report participants feeling more hopeful, more connected, and more confident talking across divides. As one participant put it: “It changed my life.”
Libraries report participants feeling more hopeful, more connected, and more confident talking across divides. As one participant put it: “It changed my life.”
Still have questions?
Still have questions?
Check out our Planning Worksheet or explore the full Digital Resource Center (try out our Q&A bot!). You can also reach out to the OSS Libraries team for support and ideas at learning@storycorps.org.
Check out our Planning Worksheet or explore the full Digital Resource Center (try out our Q&A bot!). You can also reach out to the OSS Libraries team for support and ideas at learning@storycorps.org.
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