What we’re about
Welcome to The Human Library where BOOKS are PEOPLE and “reading” is a conversation.
All books are from marginalized communities or groups that are often misunderstood by the general public.
The word “marginalized” can have a broad definition, so we encourage people to explore their lives and see if there might be a Book Title that you’d like to present yourself someday at a Human Library event.
There is training involved for both human “Books” and volunteers. Events are held at local libraries, wellness centers, outdoor markets, college campuses, and even at corporate events. If you have a recommendation on where else we should organize an event, please let us know!
ATTENDING A HUMAN LIBRARY EVENT
Those who would like to participate in the event are required to sign a waiver and agree to our rules and guidelines. We ask that all Books be returned to us in their original condition, with no “dog eared” pages or scuff marks. We encourage “Readers” to pay close attention to the thoughts and feelings that might come up when asking questions and listening to the answers. These Books are speaking from their own lived experiences.
We ask that you exercise empathy and active listening skills. Please be mindful of the facial expressions and emotions that your questions might evoke, and not ruffle the pages of our Books needlessly. An open mind and a kind heart are most welcome.
“Readings” last about half an hour, but can be cut short or go longer at each Book’s discretion. Readers are welcome to select another Book Title from the board if that Book is not already being “read” by another Reader. Readers can either wait until that Book becomes available, or select another. Books might need to take breaks in between readings. After the event, volunteers and Books debrief on the event and clean up.
Do you have an interesting Book title in mind for yourself?
Want to become a Book?
Take the training here:
Get Published
https://humanlibrary.org/get-published/
Wanna help out an upcoming event?
Sign up to become a volunteer here:
https://humanlibrary.org/volunteer/
ATTENDING A HUMAN LIBRARY STUDY GROUP
Fond memories as a young adult were hanging out at the library with a group of friends, studying for exams together, doing research projects together, and discussing "GREAT IDEAS!!!" about how to make the world a better place when we're finally older. As adults, we don't often get those opportunities built into our lives unless we create them by carving out time. This vision for having a "Study Group" of sorts has been percolating.
Participants would be able to take the online volunteer or Book trainings with "study buddies." They could bring their laptops or work on the free computers when we meet at a real library. Sometimes these trainings are more fun if we do it together as a group so we can ask each other questions if there's something we don't understand.
New Books could also practice "reading" each other before a live event. It's important to know how you might respond when asked certain questions by a friendly face so you can more easily establish your personal boundaries in advance. More experienced Books can model what setting these boundaries might look like.
These Study Groups could also function as planning parties for upcoming events, volunteer coordination meetings, and celebrations for those who've completed the volunteer or Book trainings recently. These would give us a chance to all meet in person and get to know one another before an actual event with Readers and the general public.
If you have any ideas to bring to the table or other groups and organizations that you think we should team up with, please let us know!
For more information and upcoming events, "Follow" us on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/HumanLibraryoftheFoxValley/
There's a also a private group for volunteers, so if you are interested, please reach out.
We hope to see you at an event or study group soon!