‘Human Library’ planned

Heather Latter

Every person has a story.
But instead of reading about those stories in the pages of a book, the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre, in partnership with the local Celebrating Diversity committee, is giving people an opportunity to hear these stories face-to-face during its first “Human Library” event there this Monday (Oct. 20) from 6-8 p.m.
“The idea is to foster understanding and tolerance while celebrating a strong diverse community,” noted library CEO Alicia Subnaik Kilgour.
“Our partnership with the library for the ‘Human Library’ event is a great way to show the community that we support diversity by actively promoting the stories of some of the diverse citizens in the Rainy River District,” echoed Nicke Baird, vice-chair of the Celebrating Diversity committee.
“The event is a brilliant way to give people a better understanding and respect for the stories, successes, and tribulations that some people endure in our community,” she added.
Subnaik Kilgour said “Human Libraries” are offered all over the world, and provide a simple yet positive approach to promoting tolerance and understanding.
The “Human Library” idea was developed in 2000 when a non-governmental youth movement in Denmark called “Stop the Violence” was encouraged to organize activities for the Roskilde Festival.
“Events that would put a focus on anti-violence, encourage dialogue, and build relations among the festival visitors,” the website noted.
“And the ‘Human Library’ was born as a challenge to the crowds of northern Europe’s biggest summer festival,” it added.
Subnaik Kilgour explained the “Human Library” event works just the way the library works—except the “books” are people.
“People can come into the library and we’ll have the human books near the check-out area,” she noted, adding there will be locations assigned for the reader and “book” to sit.
“We will use some of our intimate spaces throughout the library, so the cozy, comfortable chairs,” she said.
She said a person can indicate which “book” they would like to check out.
“The human book will then give [that person] their card and actually be able to check them out,” Subnaik Kilgour remarked.
“Then they sit and have a conversation about the individual, learning about their culture and their world experiences.”
“Borrow a person you normally would think you would not like,” suggested material from Stop The Violence’s “Human Library.”
“We have a wide selection of unpopular stereotypes,” it noted.
“Everything from gays to hip-hoppers to immigrants.”
While the Fort Frances event may not have quite as wide a range as that, event organizers are doing their best to gather “human books” with a variety of experiences and perspectives.
For instance, confirmed so far are local centenarian Frances Shelfantook, residential school survivors Dick Bird and Buddy Loyie, retired NHL player Mike Allison, and war bride Pam Oliver.
Visit the library’s website (www.library.fort-frances.com) to view a list of human books.
You can reserve your copy online or by calling the library at 274-9870.
Subnaik Kilgour said she’s still looking for a few more “books,” so if anyone has an interesting story or perspective they would be willing to share, they are invited to contact the library.
“I think it will give people an opportunity to learn about people in our community,” she reasoned.
“It’s a great way to build community.”
“Most likely a majority of readers will find that human books are people just like you and me, but for different reasons they are subjected to stereotyping and prejudices,” the Human Library website states.
“They are open about who they are and prepared to share their experiences.”
It adds that one of the great features of the “Human Library” is that there are no such thing as stupid questions.
“‘Books’ have been prepared and made themselves available in order for you to be able to dig deep and find out what you always wanted to know about the ‘book’ title,” it explains.
But Subnaik Kilgour added all those participating must show respect to one another in order for the event to reach its full potential.
The event also will help kick off Ontario Public Library Week.