WCC hosts third annual Human Library event to encourage dialogue and break down stereotypes

by DOINA PLOP
Deputy Editor

Breaking down stereotypes, helping people recognize their own unconscious biases, building empathy, showcasing diversity, and encouraging dialogue are a few goals of the Human Library, an international organization and movement.

After being unable to have a Human Library event in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Human Library event returned at WCC in a virtual setting. The Bailey Library hosted the Human Library event on March 24, from 12 p.m to 3 p.m.

“One of WCC’s strengths is always working toward community and empathy-building, making sure all students are welcome and that their voices are heard,” said Molly Ledermann, faculty librarian and co-organizer of the Human Library event at WCC.

This year, the readers had the opportunity to “check out” 23 books. Most of the books were WCC students and staff members. If interested, people can read the 2021 book titles and summaries here.

To participate as a human library book, one just needs to be willing to share their story, whatever it might be.

“We’re looking for someone talking about their lived experience. We find value in all experiences,” said Ledermann.

The WCC Human Library has an open application system. Staff, students, and members of the community can apply to participate.

“This event is an opportunity for people to stand in someone else’s shoes and learn not to judge a book by its cover,” said Ledermann.

Books are able to maintain their confidentiality. They are identified by their first name or a name of their choosing.

Joy, one of this year’s books, said that she didn’t think she had anything to share but after talking to some members of the faculty she decided to sign up.

“I was anxious beforehand but then when they [the librarian hosting the zoom meeting] started reading the introduction about ‘treat your book with respect’ I thought it was nice but funny. It’s odd being referred to as a book. I settled down when I started to talk. My story covers two and a half years of my life and it’s hard to cover that in seven to ten minutes. There is so much more that I could have shared that would have given a real feel to the adventure,” said Joy.

After attending the event, participants were asked to comment on their experience.

“After I read some of the comments people wrote about my story, I realized that people find what they need when we share. Some people thought I was brave and courageous. Some people took away the idea that we take ourselves with us wherever we go. Someone else heard that it’s not just a long vacation,” said Joy.

Joy encourages people to attend the event. “I read other books during the day and at one of them, I learned something important about myself.

The best part [of the Human Library event] was reading a book. Recognizing that something I thought was a ‘belief’ was actually a ‘bias’. I don’t think we realize how what we experience in 15 minutes can help us to grow,” said Joy.

Ella, another one of this year’s books, was inspired to become a book by her communication professor, Claire Sparklin, who has been involved in the Human Library event since its arrival at WCC.

“[The Human Library event] allows both sides [books and readers] to become comfortable within the uncomfortable. Some topics aren’t always pretty. And sometimes the pretty comes after the ugly.

“It was almost like going to therapy in a way. But, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would do it again,” said Ella.

On March 1, the Human Library introduced a diversity quiz with the purpose of making people reflect and suspend judgement. If interested, people can take the quiz here.

A list of upcoming Human Library events can be found here.

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