Meet our Youngest Publishing Partner
With summer just beginning to blossom at our Reading Garden in Copenhagen, we spoke with a special visitor hailing all the way from Arizona. Our youngest publishing partner Ellegra Davis was just sixteen when she organised her first event at her high school. We sat down with Ellegra to interview her and learn what inspired her to become involved with our library.
Taking Local Initiative
Ellegra learned about the Human Library thanks to a family friend who told her about a Human Library event their high school counselor attended. Ellegra said she was immediately drawn to the idea.
Living in admittedly insular Scottsdale, Arizona, Ellegra said it can be difficult for people in her hometown to meet others who have different lived experiences.
“It can get a little bit like a bubble, and people don’t really get outside their bubble very much, so it was definitely very important to bring the human library to this area,” Ellegra said.
Over the next year, Ellegra and her friend worked together to host a Human Library event at Chaparral High School, Ellegra becoming the youngest publishing partner our library has had so far.
Now seventeen, Ellegra has already managed to host two reading events and is currently organising a third set for this coming fall. At the first event, ten Books were available, spanning titles from a Native American youth to an Afghan refugee.
Ellegra and the team of dedicated volunteers.
Perks of Being a Publishing Partner
Wearing both hats of publishing partner and Librarian at the events, Ellegra said she was glad to experience the event through a unique lens.
“Being a librarian is super cool because I got to hear their stories ahead of time and just really connect with them for a longer period of time,” Ellegra said. “It really does make you feel like you’re part of a community.”
Ellegra continued to say she didn’t anticipate the community building aspect of the experience, and now feels more intertwined in her local community than ever before.
“Before you have a conversation with people, you have no idea who they truly are and you have no idea what they’ve experienced, but just through talking and connecting, looking at each other and really feeling the words that you’re speaking to each other is so incredibly important,” Ellegra said.
Looking Forward to the Future
In our interview, we were also curious to learn more about the next event Ellegra is planning to host.
To diversify the Booktitles, Ellegra hopes to bring the stories of a survivor of one of the many American Indian boarding schools in Arizona, or one of their descendants, and a female combat surgeon to the table.
“People welcome you because you’re unique and because you have these different stories and experiences,” Ellegra said. “That’s what makes you special and what makes you able to share your story and be a human book.”
We are grateful to have Ellegra as a publishing partner, and proud of her initiative. If you’re near Arizona this fall, mark your calendars for her next Human Library event!
If Ellegra’s story seems inspiring and you would also like to take initiative, we are always happy to guide you through the process. By filling out the form on our website, you can easily apply to become a publishing partner and join our global network of volunteers.
