The Sonoma County Library will be documenting life during the coronavirus pandemic with a special collection, and you’re invited to contribute.

The library is asking community members to record their experiences in writing, art or other creative expression and then donate those physical items to the library to be included in the collection. Residents will be invited to bring the items in once the crisis is resolved.

Library staff will catalog a selection of the items into a special collection that can be accessible to future generations of Sonoma County Library visitors.

“Researchers and students will be able to use your work to understand what it was like living in Sonoma County during this challenging time,” said Connie Williams, History Room librarian at the Petaluma Regional Library. “Your story can be a part of our community’s story.”

As a way to begin, Williams suggests documenting — in writing or in images — your initial reactions to news about the virus and work and school closures, and recording daily experiences, such as what life is like in your neighborhood, how you communicate with others and what has changed.

“This is a great way to help our community preserve memories of an important event,” Sonoma County Library Director Ann Hammond said. 

The library requests that items be no larger than 11” x 17” and can be stored flat. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..