December 7th | Frizzell Study Hall, by the Fireplace

The Woburn Public Library and SCI Woburn are teaming up to bring another unique opportunity to the community: The Human Library.

…Wait. What?

Well. It’s sort of an interesting thing. This event aims to create a safe space where one-on-one dialogue can lead to greater understanding, compassion and acceptance. Our goal, here, is to encourage community members (our “books” share their stories with other community members (“readers”, if you like) in short, one-on-one conversations.

Human libraries promote tolerance and understanding, are a celebration of diversity, and challenge stereotypes and assumptions. A Human Library encourages people from different backgrounds and experiences to learn about and from one another. Come have a conversation with our Human Books, volunteers from our community and beyond, who will be available to share stories about their life experiences. Available to check out: “books” about what it’s like going to prison for a crime you didn’t commit (and being exonerated), on thriving despite crushing depression and anxiety, on being a recovering alcoholic and creating a wonderful life, on living a life while being undocumented, on receiving a life-altering religious calling and finding your true purpose in life…

Sounds amazing, right?

We didn’t come up with this idea all on our own. The Human Library or “Menneskebiblioteket” as it is called in Danish, was created in Copenhagen in the spring of 2000 by Ronni Abergel and his brother Dany and colleagues Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen. The original event was open eight hours a day for four days straight and featured over fifty different titles. The broad selection of books provided readers with ample choice to challenge their stereotypes and so more than a thousand readers took advantage leaving books, librarians, organizers and readers stunned at the reception and impact of the Human Library.

We're so glad we finally get to bring our version to Woburn. 

Interested in becoming a “book”? Click this link to apply.

#woburnunites #teamHUMAN