The Human Library

If you have a moment, take a mosey on over to the Academic Library Marketing blog. This blog is so well-written, well-researched, and well-designed, it gives me serious "blog envy." While you're there, check out this invited post I wrote for the blog this summer about an event called the Human Library. The Human Library is a one-day event that allows patrons to come in to the library and check out another human being with an interesting story. Attendees are able to choose a “human book” from self-authored description cards that are set out on a table. Each human book has selected a title that reflects a common stereotype. Examples of human books at Joyner Library’s events were HIV, Overweight, Dyslexia, PTSD, Deaf, Rabbi, and more. After making their selection, the person is paired with their human book for a 15-30 minute conversation. This event has strong social justice implications, in that it may help address common stereotypes and allows for transparent conversations to occur in a safe space.Our library has had great success putting on the Human Library for the last two years. If you are thinking of putting on a Human Library and would like to see examples of my planning documents and feedback from attendees, please visit: http://media.lib.ecu.edu/DE/HumanLibrary.zip 

Enjoy the post, check out the rest of the Academic Library Marketing blog, and let me know if you have questions!

Photo Credit: ECU Student Affairs Graphic Design