The Carlson Library will host a ‘Human Library’ in the Main Event Space on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
The event runs from 3 to 6 p.m. and is a collaboration between The University of Toledo Libraries, the Center for International Studies and Programs, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Office of Multicultural Student Success.
The Human Library is an international program developed as a way to provide members of a community a venue to have a short interaction, as in “check out a human book,” with a person who has faced bias based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, medical or emotional diagnosis, religious or political beliefs, social status, immigration status or occupation that they otherwise may not have had an opportunity to cross paths with.
“The Human Library is an amazing program to bring people together,” said Ting Li, a Human Library planning committee member. “It opens dialogues beyond the social labeling theory to make both books and readers feel each other’s warmth and to engage in deeper conversations about social justice.”
“Human Books” will be available to check out every 20 minutes for a 15-minute reading session. All the Human Books are members of the UToledo community, including faculty, staff, students and alumni.
The UToledo Human Library plans to offer 16 individuals participating as “human books” at the event; however, due to the nature of the event, not all books will be available to read during each session. Readers are invited to stay for as long as possible to check out as many different books as they can during the event.
“I decided to participate in the Human Library because I think it’s important for people to hear stories that they might not get a chance to hear in their everyday lives,” said Go Holsinger, a student employee at Carlson Library who will participate as a “human book” in the Human Library. “Something abnormal or just not their own experience.”
Immediately following the event, there will be a short reception from 6 to 7 p.m. with light refreshments.
