Fewer than 20 people so far have shared their stories with the Suffolk Speaks project the Suffolk Public Library is doing, and we think folks are missing a golden opportunity to have their voice heard.

We know there are people in Suffolk who have some amazing stories, and the library has invested a lot of effort into making this program work. But after nearly a year of trying to collect stories, they’ve got only 19.

Oral history projects are so important, and there is a generation of Suffolk folks who came of age in the World War II era whose input would be especially valuable. Generations to come would benefit from hearing about how these folks fought in or supported the war and what life was like back at home in Suffolk.

Those who participated in the Civil Rights movement in the ’50s and ’60s have much experience to share about the events and atmosphere of those times. They can tell us what it was like when the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. came to Suffolk on June 28, 1963 and spoke to thousands at Peanut Park.

Suffolk residents from the ’70s can reminisce about the process of turning the county and town, and then two separate cities, into one city, which went into effect in 1974. Those from the ’80s are old enough to remember before the city underwent a huge population and development boom beginning in the ’90s that has continued throughout the decades since then. Even young folks have insight that will be valued by future generations.

Megan Mulvey, library outreach and program services manager, said the most difficult part of the project has simply been convincing people that they have something worth sharing.

“People tell us over and over that they haven’t done anything interesting, but that’s so not the case,” she told News-Herald reporter Alex Perry. “Everyone has a story to tell.”

Even if you don’t think you have something to share, make sure you stop by the library and tell your story. Don’t worry; they have prompts to get you started.

An open recording session will be held from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Jan. 17 at Morgan Memorial Library, 443 W. Washington St. Visit suffolkpubliclibrary.com/176/Suffolk-Speaks for more information.