Bainbridge Island Human Library with 116 readers.

The Bainbridge Library was abuzz with conversation this Saturday as Living Books and Readers met throughout the morning. Using the Human Library terminology, a hallmark of this program, our ‘catalog’ included nineteen ‘titles’ and every one was a bestseller, with each thirty-minute conversation in constant circulation. The Bainbrige Human Library proved an important point with this the second launch event to test the potential and appeal of the concept in the United States. The Human Library has passed its test with flying colors not only in the big city, but also in the close knit community. The succes of both events marks the beginning of the Living Libraries America project, which over the next two years will see the distribution of the methodology to all 50 states.

 

Challenged by the story of To Kill a Mockingbird, the living librarians (our team of community leaders), worked for months to organize the event.  It took a lot of planning and commitment, but in the end, I believe we provided a forum for our community to engage in honest and open dialog, to learn about others, and to challenge assumptions, says Rebecca Judd, the manager of Bainbridge Island Library.

  

Overwhelming interest from the Islanders.

One thing is to attract an audience in a metropolitan city such as Los Angeles, but to have people come out early in the morning and before the ordinary opening hours of the public Library, goes to show the sincere interest among the Bainbrige Island readers. All books where out, all day. Making it a total of 116 loans times 30 minutes. Below some of the response from readersand books after the event.

Feedback from Books and Readers.

After each Human Library event, Readers and Books are asked to fill in an evaluation questionnaire. Below are some of the reactions to the experience.

 

Books:

“I got to learn about others’ viewpoints and clarify my own” (Atheist Book)

 

“I had a great time and really felt that I was able to share” (Former Marine Book)

 

“I had to think hard about my feelings … learning happens both ways” (“Looking Like the Enemy” Japanese Internment Book)

 

Readers:

 

“There is too much to write – or even fully know yet. Many hours of thought will go into my absorption of this experience”

   

“Both conversations changed assumptions I didn’t even know I had …”

 

“I’ll see the landscape that I drive daily differently / personally”

 

“Old lesson reinforced: to listen is to know.”

 

“At one moment, in my discussion with the Muslim family, I was on the verge of tears, wanting to apologize for the actions and dialog that had been taken against them because of their beliefs. I personally got to say, “I’m sorry.” 

 

And, finally, from one 11-year old: “I learned that even though people make fun of other people, and since they don’t know much about their race, they say they’re bad. And you may laugh along because you don’ know about them, but they’re people too!”

 

Organizer shout outs.

Many thanks to all of the volunteer Living Books, for sharing their stories, and to the Bainbridge Island community, for their open hearts and willingness to grow.  Thank you to our funding partners, the Bainbridge Island Arts and Humanities Council and Humanities Washington, and to our program partners, BIAHC, the JustKnow Coalition, the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community, City of Bainbridge Island, Helpline House, and Bainbridge Island Historical Society.  Your support has been invaluable in realising this wonderful event.

 

Visit the Gallery HERE to see more pictures from Bainbridge Island Human Library.

 

LINK to article in the SEATTLE PI.