Human Library @ Humber

A “Lightning Strikes @ OCULA” Presentationcreated by: Aliya Dalfen

Humber College Co-op Librarian

What is a Human Library?

Human Books

• People willing to share their unique perspectives and experiences.

• Often Human Books have experienced some form of discrimination, misunderstanding or stigma in their lives

Readers

• Visitors of the Human Library

• Readers get the chance to sign out a Human Book, sit down and have a 30-45 minute informal and open conversation

Human Library’s Main Goals

• Promote dialogue• Reduce prejudice, misconception and

stigma• Broaden community awareness and

understandingThe Human Library provides a safe space for people to communicate and ask questions about subjects that are uncomfortable, difficult or unspoken

Human Books at Humber

• Devout Muslim• Living with HIV• Teenage Runaway• Cancer Survivor• Media Tigress• Immigrant & Playwright

• What’s a Disability Anyway?

• Living with Alzheimer’s • Pro-Choice• War Survivor• Post Traumatic Stress &

the Paramedic

http://library.humber.ca/HumanLibrary

CirculationGuidelines for Readers

1. The reader must return the book in the same mental and physical condition as when borrowed. Do not damage the book, tear out or bend pages, get food or drink spilled over the book or hurt his or her dignity. The reader is responsible for preserving the condition of the book. 2. The reader accepts the fact that the book can quit the conversation if he or she feels that the reader treats him or her in an inappropriate manner or hurts his or her dignity. 3. The reader only gets 30 minutes to sign out the book. 4. The reader cannot record, videotape or takes pictures of the book without the permission of the book. 5. Please remember that you are signing out a book and that the book has a story to tell. As a reader, this is your opportunity to talk and listen to a book’s personal history. It is not appropriate to conduct interviews about the event itself at this time.

Human Library Set-UpNorth Campus

Human Library Set-upLakeshore Campus

Success!

North Campus

• 49 out of 56 time-slots reserved

• Majority of readers were students with course assignments

Lakeshore

• 27 out of 49 time-slots reserved

• Majority of readers were walk-ins

Numbers do not accurately demonstrate the Human Library’s success

Human Library Feedback

Readers

• “I learned that no matter what, you are capable of everything you put your mind to. A disability is only in your head. I was very inspired today…”

• “I realized that I have similarities that were never recognized as valuable life experience until I read this book”

• “Make it an annual event!”

Books• I had the opportunity to actually meet my

future readers – now I know better what my readers are interested in learning about

• On both days, we all have planted seeds of knowledge and wisdom in the minds and hearts in both our readers and each other, simply by being together. Although we will never know what will become of those seed, we can be assured that they will germinate through time in some form...

• My readers comments have encouraged me to continue living life, telling my story and adding new chapters. In comparison to a printed book, the greatest advantage of a Human Book is that the best parts are not written yet!

Challenges and Tips• Human Book Recruitment

– Faculty, student groups, student services

– Personal networks– External organizations

• Promote, Promote, Promote– Branding, logos– Posters, flyers, banners, displays– Webpages, Humber newspapers,

Humber TV, facebook, twitter, email distribution

– Word of mouth: faculty, students, student groups, reference, instruction

• Human Library Committee– Diverse people, not just librarians!– Form the committee early– Speak one-on-one with key players

• Faculty Involvement– Form assignments based around the

event– Make sure you have enough Human

Books to support an assignment

• Know Your Environment– Tailor the Human Library to your

community– Experiment and take risks!– Find out what worked and what didn’t

through evaluations

Conclusions

• Perfect for a College Community– College students can benefit

from professional and personal experience

– Human Books are primary research material

• Promotes diversity, communication and awareness in a unique way

• Excellent means of outreach, collaboration and networking with your community

• Puts your library on the “map”– Demonstrates the library as an

active community-builder– Media coverage is an excellent

promotional tool both internally and externally

– Positive impact on the library, school and community

• Incredible, inspiring and educational experience

Contact Information

• Human Library Organization Website: http://human-library.org

• Want more information? Please feel free to contact me at aliya.dalfen@humber.ca or aliyadalfen@gmail.com