Environment & Diversity Blog

Welcome to Sustainability Network's Environment & Diversity Blog!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Saturday, Novemember 6: Toronto Public Library Hosts First Human Library

The Toronto Public Library is launching its first Human Library on November 6th. Visit one of five libraries across Toronto on Saturday, November 6th, 2010 from 10am – 2pm and you’ll have the opportunity to sign out a human “book” and find out what it’s like to walk in another person’s shoes.


Have a one-on-one conversation with a human “book” and learn about what it’s like to be homeless, or new to Canada, be in prison or start your own IT company (to name a few). If you’re interested, you can also volunteer to become one of the books at the participating libraries.


More about the Human Library


The first Human Library was held at Roskilde Festival in Denmark in 2000. The youth organization Stop the Violence was encouraged by the festival director at the time to create anti-violence activities for festival goers to encourage dialogue and help people build relations with each other - and that's how the Human Library came to be. In its original form, the "library" was set up in an outdoor space at the festival where people could come in and "borrow" human "books", ask questions and have a conversation to help break down stereotypes and prejudices.


With the help of the Human Library Organization, which provides a wealth of resources and information to support groups that want to organize their own event, Human Libraries are now held around the world.


In addition to the Toronto Public Library, other Canadian Human Library organizers include:


  • Douglas College, British Columbia
  • Coquitlam Library, British Columbia
  • Moscrop Secondary School, British Columbia
  • Calgary Public Library, Alberta
  • Augusta Campus, University of Alberta, Alberta
  • The University of Guelph, Ontario
  • King's University College, University of Western Ontario, Ontario

No comments:

Post a Comment