Hedberg Public Library will host their second Human Library™ event on Saturday, May 12 from 1-4 p.m. at 316 South Main St.
Check out a human “book”! The Human Library™ is designed to build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue. It provides a safe space where real people are on loan to readers and difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered.
“Last year’s Human Library was an amazing experience for everyone who participated, including staff, books and readers,” said event coordinator René Bue. “It’s a great chance to get to better understand your neighbors and others in your community.”
Large group, small group and one-on-one readings are available. The event is open to all ages, though some readings may not be appropriate for younger readers.
The Human Library™ or “Menneskebiblioteket” as it is called in Danish, was developed in Copenhagen in the spring of 2000 as a project for Roskilde Festival by Ronni Abergel and his brother Dany and colleagues Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen.
The original event was open eight hours a day for four days straight and featured over fifty different titles. The broad selection of books provided readers with ample choice to challenge their stereotypes and so they did. More than a thousand readers took advantage leaving books, librarians, organizers and readers stunned at the impact of the Human Library.
Since its inceptions, libraries and organizations around the world have hosted their own Human Libraries. From India to Peru, Poland to the UK, South Africa to Greece and across the United States, the Human Library has been working to reduce bias, promote dialogue and encourage understanding.
To learn more about the Human Library, visit humanlibrary.org. For more library information, visit HedbergPublicLibrary.org.
