Short Story Dispenser Promotes Literacy and Creativity in Wasco County
Kristen Dyer stands next to the new short story dispenser installation at The Dalles Wasco County Public Library in The Dalles, OR. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
The Dalles Wasco County Library has recently installed a short story dispenser on their main floor near the entrance. The interactive installation is a new innovative way to promote literacy and community involvement, allowing people to contribute their own stories and share them with others.
Kristen Dyer, who headed up the project at the library, explained in an interview that the short story dispenser is a worldwide endeavor created by a company called Short Edition in France. The machine has a cellular connection to the worldwide web and can print out stories of different lengths from all over the world on a long, receipt-like sheet of paper.
Kristen Dyer demonstrates use of the machine and holds up a short comic titled “Fusion” by Valentin Pujadas. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
However, what makes the short story dispenser particularly special is that it is programmable, and the library can add local content to it.
This means that the community can contribute their own stories, illustrated stories, comics, and poetry for consideration by emailing kdyer@ci.the-dalles.or.us for local distribution only or by submitting their content at short-edition.com for consideration for publishing at dispensers worldwide. The possibilities are endless, and the short story dispenser can print out not only short stories but also non-fiction works, poetry, and even cartoons.
The short story dispenser at The Dalles Wasco County Library will soon have it’s three buttons labled “one minute” “three minutes” and “five minutes” changed to “kids,” “teens, and “adults,” allowing readers to find the sort of story they're looking for.
There are currently three short story dispensers available across Wasco County: one at the library in The Dalles, one at Dufur School, and one in Maupin at the Sourthern Wasco County Library.
But while the dispensers are home for now, the one in The Dalles may soon be on the move.
“The idea is not for the machine to stay in the library but to go out into the community, promoting literacy throughout the county” says Dyer.
The library hopes to move the machine to a coffee shop or retail space in the future. If your business or organization is interested in hosting the short story dispenser in your space email kdyer@ci.the-dalles.or.us.
The short story dispenser is a permanent feature, and the library is planning a promotional event around it, inviting people to come in for an evening of food and stories. This event is still in the planning stages, but Kristen Dyer hopes to collaborate with her colleague once she returns from vacation. The short story dispenser is a great way to promote the arts in the community, and the library is excited about the possibilities it presents.
The library hopes that the short story dispenser will be a permanent fixture in the community, encouraging people to read, write, and share their stories.
Want to submit a story to be published in story dispensers locally and across the world?
A short story titled “Half the Sweetness” by Mir Yahar Seyedbaghen offers a look into the life of two siblings going trick-or-treating to escape the difficult economic realities of their home life. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
Short story or poem submission guidelines:
The story must be able to be read in a range of 1-5 minutes and contain no more than 7,500 characters (including spaces).
Write a short story that is
100-150 words,
300-350 words,
or 500-550 words
Comic and illustrated story submission guidelines:
Comics must be in black and white and may include 1 mid-tone shade of gray.
Comics should not be more than 7 cm wide (2,75 inches) and 100 cm long (39,37 inches).
Email your story, comic, or poem to: kdyer@ci.the-dalles.or.us and get a $5 Starbucks gift card* for participating. (While supplies last.)
Or submit your story online at: short-edition.com
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