We are excited to host The Human Library® event for residents of our region! It will be held on Saturday, October 17 from 10am – 2pm at Marlborough Congregational Church. All are welcome to join us for this very special – and free – event.
What is The Human Library®?
The Human Library® is a program developed in Denmark 26 years ago to enable people to talk with and learn from people who may lead different lives from them. Since then Human Library events have been held in over 85 countries.
The Human Library® is essentially a library of people. The Human Library® creates a safe space for dialogue where topics are discussed openly between human Books and their readers.
The human Books are all volunteers with personal experience with their topic. Each Book represents a group in our society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin, etc.
Examples of the type of Books who might be participating are a blind person, person with ADHD, Tribal Leader, member of the Sikh community, sexual assault survivor, former gang leader, trans person, formerly homeless person, person who grew up in foster care, etc.
What happens at The Human Library®?
Visitors sign up to read one of the 12-16 Books available in the library. A Librarian will introduce the Reader(s) to their chosen Book and direct them to a break-out room where they can have a conversation for up to 30 minutes to explore the topic. The conversation is driven by the Reader who will ask questions and the Book will answer their questions and share their personal experiences.
How can I learn more?
Visit the The Human Library® website.
And check out this wonderful feature story about The Human Library® on CBS Mornings.
Many thanks:
This event is made possible by generous donations from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, Hochberg Committee for Holocaust and Human Rights Education at Temple Bnai Israel, Gilead Congregational Church, Marlborough Bakery & Café, and in-kind support from Marlborough Congregational Church.
Commonly asked questions:
Q. Can children attend the event?
A. Because many of the Books talk about serious (sometimes traumatic) issues and events in their lives, The Human Library is geared toward adults and older teens. If a parent brings a child under 16, we encourage them to do the readings with their teen.
Q. How many Books can I read?
A. Conversations are 30 minutes long and there will be some time in between for you to choose your next Book (among those that are available) or wait until the Book you want to read is available. So, the number of Books you can read depends on the Books you want to read and who is available when you are ready to read them.
Q. How will I know what to ask the Books?
A. We’ll have some suggested conversation starters, but in general we ask that you follow your heart and ask the Books what you’re curious about. As long as you are respectful, Books are prepared to answer most questions. If they don’t feel they can answer a particular question, they will let you know.
Q. Do I have to stay the entire time?
A. Readers can come at anytime during the event and stay as long as you want.
Q. Will there be food available?
A. Lunch will not be served but there will be snacks and drinks.
