The Syracuse University Libraries will host its fifth annual Human Library event on Wednesday, April 11, from noon-5 p.m. in Bird Library. Participants will have the opportunity to talk to “human books”: volunteers from the Syracuse University community who represent a variety of cultural backgrounds and life experiences. Human books will engage in conversation with participants in one-on-one or small-group settings for 20 minutes at a time.
A “human book” converses with the person who engaged him during a previous year’s Human Library event.
The event is open to campus and community. No preregistration is required; however, there will be an opportunity to reserve a book for a specific time in advance, if desired.
A human library is an event that encourages people from different backgrounds to talk with and learn from each other in a safe and supportive environment. The purpose is to create a positive space for dialogues on challenging topics, to break down stereotypes and to celebrate diversity within our community.
Previous human book topics have included Native American, Chinese, Indian, Nigerian and Middle Eastern cultures; disability, transgender and biracial identity; military life; mental health issues; and immigrant experiences. Human books and participants of past events have described conversations as rewarding, fun, important and insightful.
Event organizers are currently seeking Syracuse University faculty, staff and students, and other community members to serve as human books; the deadline to complete an application form is Friday, March 9.
Campus event partners currently include the Blackstone Launchpad, Hendricks Chapel and the Slutzker Center for International Services. Syracuse University’s event is one of several human libraries offered throughout the region, with support from the Central NY Library Resources Council.
The first Human Library program was held in 2000 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Since then, similar events have been organized in libraries, schools and other institutions around the world. For more information see http://researchguides.library.syr.edu/humanlibrary.
About Syracuse University
Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is a private international research university dedicated to advancing knowledge and fostering student success through teaching excellence, rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary research. Comprising 11 academic schools and colleges, the University has a long legacy of excellence in the liberal arts, sciences and professional disciplines that prepares students for the complex challenges and emerging opportunities of a rapidly changing world. Students enjoy the resources of a 270-acre main campus and extended campus venues in major national metropolitan hubs and across three continents. Syracuse’s student body is among the most diverse for an institution of its kind across multiple dimensions, and students typically represent all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Syracuse also has a long legacy of supporting veterans and is home to the nationally recognized Institute for Veterans and Military Families, the first university-based institute in the U.S. focused on addressing the unique needs of veterans and their families.
