"Designed to bring people together to broaden individual horizons – just as most libraries aim to do – the Human Library creates opportunities for people to come together over stories of lived experiences to find connections and understanding." - Kristin Vogel, director of the library

Human Library

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Human Library 2021. We look forward to our 8th annual Human Library in 2022.

About the National Human Library Project

The Human Library is an innovative method designed to promote dialogue, reduce prejudices and encourage understanding. The main characteristics of the project are to be found in its simplicity and positive approach.

In its initial form the Human Library is a mobile library set up as a space for dialogue and interaction. Visitors to a Human Library are given the opportunity to speak informally with “people on loan”; this latter group being extremely varied in age, sex and cultural background.

The Human Library enables groups to break stereotypes by challenging the most common prejudices in a positive and humorous manner. It is a concrete, easily transferable and affordable way of promoting tolerance and understanding.

It is a “keep it simple”, “no-nonsense” contribution to social cohesion in multicultural societies. Read more about the history on the Human Library website.

Questions?

For questions about the Human Library or if you're interested in becoming a human book, contact us at library@snc.edu or 920-403-3466.

A human library is made of humans who volunteer to share their stories. Like books in a library, human books can be checked out, listened to and interacted with.

Why a Human Library?
The Human Library International Organization believes when humans share their stories of prejudice and discrimination, it “promotes dialogue and encourages understanding.”

Why at SNC?
Students – and people in the SNC community – engage with “living sources,” often from marginalized, non-dominant groups, and have an open dialogue about the nature of discrimination and social exclusion. It gives them an opportunity to unpack prejudices and expand their horizons.