Human books are currently available to check out at Human Library exhibit
Human books are currently available to check out at USU’s first Human Library exhibit where “readers” have the opportunity to talk about prejudices and stereotypes they might have about people with diverse experiences and backgrounds.
The Human Library is a nonprofit organization that promotes intimate and informal opportunities for people to build understanding of others by opening a dialogue. Anne Hedrich, a USU librarian, is one of the co-organizers for the event, which started Tuesday.
Participants will get a unique and authentic experience with a book that is a person, as they “check out” a book on a particular topic. After a reader looks at the catalog of different topics, they decide which book they are interested in.
Angela Neff, a USU teaching assistant and co-organizer of the event, said “readers” must first agree to some guidelines, such as asking respectful questions.
“We want our books treated well,” Neff said.
Readers then get a library card and set up a time to have a conversation with the book, at which time they can hear and share stories about a particular topic.
“It’s like an informed personal narrative that’s interactive,” Neff said.
Hedrich said the Human Library is “quite clever, because we’re talking about reading another kind of book — a human book.”
She said it’s a great way to “start a dialogue to promote a better understanding of different experiences and ways of thinking.”
Experiences will be unique because each reader has different interests, understandings and can ask their own questions. Each of the books is an expert of their own experience on the topic, but not about the topic.
“The books are meant to not present facts, but experiences,” Hedrich said.
The theme for this library collection is “Find Out the Rest of the Story.” More than 20 titles are offered, including topics on Paganism, abuse survivors, blindness, eating disorders and interesting hobbies, such as storm chasing.
Hedrich said sometimes there is more than one title to a topic, such as the circumstance in Lebanon from both a Christian and Muslim perspective.
Matt Winters, a book volunteer, will be available for check out Tuesday to talk about his experiences as a college radio disc jockey. Although Winters said he hopes to broaden minds and get past any misconceptions people might have about DJs, he is mostly excited about his love for the topic.
“I get to maybe not change minds, but inform them about something interesting,” he said.
The Human Library organizers have had an overwhelming response of people who want to volunteer as books. Hedrich said many of them look forward to the opportunity to help others, even if they talk about personal or difficult topics.
“All these books are very brave,” Neff said.
Hedrich said although these exhibits happen all over the world, this is the first time it has been introduced in Logan.
“I think it will be an interesting and fun experience for readers and hope people will come,” she said.
The Human Library is free and open to all members of the community and will continue until Thursday in room 101 of the Merrill-Cazier Library. Hours are Wednesday 2-4 p.m., and Thursday 4-6 p.m.
– l.nemelka@aggiemail.usu.edu