REPORT: The Human Library in Texas
The Human Library event held June 6, 2009 was the Center for the healing of Racism´s first collaboration with the Houston Public Library and it was a huge success. In short, human beings act as “living books” that individuals can “check out” for a conversation. Individuals who participate as books can be different ages, from different backgrounds, religions, professions, etc. The conversations between the books and the “readers” are intended to break down prejudices and increase understanding.
The Human Library began in Denmark in 2000 and has since spread all over the world. Ours was the first of its kind in Houston and the second in Texas.
This was a great program for the Center to get involved in since it has so much in common with the work of the Center: it emphasizes learning through listening, showing respect for participants, and the need for a safe environment in which to be successful. (As Cherry emphasized to our living books, if someone asks a question you don’t want to answer, just say, “That chapter is not in this book!”)
Through the
collaboration, the Center provided the “books” and the Library supplied the
venue and publicity. Eighteen individuals responded to
Cherry’s invitation to become books for the day and included both Center members
and friends of the Center. Each book had a title, among them
were “The Cover Girl Look” (a Muslim woman), “Surviving the Longest Hate” (a
Jewish man), and “The Casserole Disease” (parents raising a son with bipolar
disease.)
As one of the librarians for the event (along with the primary Houston Public Library organizer, Amy Taylor), I was able to see the entire event unfold. The “books” were scattered around a large meeting room, each with a few chairs, arranged so that each could have fairly quiet and private conversations with whoever checked them out. (Up to 3 people at a time could be with any one book). Amy and I helped the participants as they selected their books, answering questions and giving directions. After 30 minutes with the book, participants could check out another, so that by the end of the event (almost three hours later) they were able to check out 3 books.
Once again, participating in a Center event, I am struck by the fact that even though it dealt with potentially difficult emotions and issues, the room was full of excitement, energy and smiles. As the “readers” shared their thoughts at the end of the event, many wished it could go on all day so they could read all the books there, while others expressed the desire for a monthly Human Library event.
We had tremendous coverage of the event by the local media prior to the event: Our Director Cherry was featured on the front page of the Houston Chronicle on June 3, 2009 (As of this writing, the article is still available: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/6455330.html) Additional articles appeared in the Houston Press (http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2009/06/living_book_event_houston.php) as well as the River Oaks Examiner and the Bellaire Examiner.
by Nancy Linden
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