Human library planned at Adelphi

The Island Now
Human Library

The phrase don’t judge a book by its cover is taking on new meaning at the first-ever Human Library at Adelphi University. Readers will be able to check out real human “books” of different ethnicities, beliefs and experiences for conversations about their lives.

It will be held on Thursday, April 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Angello Alumni House with free refreshments and parking provided.

The Human Library Organization was developed in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2000 as a project for Roskilde Festival developed by brothers Ronni and Dany Abergel, Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen.

The original event was eight hours a day for four days straight and featured over 50 “titles” people could take out and challenge stereotypes.

For the Adelphi Human Library, some of the different examples of a human “book” include “Autism,” “Soldier (PTSD),” “Refugee,” “Homeless,” “Young Single Mother,” “Sexually Abused” and more. Rules for taking out a book at the Human Library include returning books in mint condition; loans are personal and may not be handed over to other readers; you must ask to learn the information about the topic your book specializes in; and you can always extend your loan with approval from the librarian and book.

The event is being run in collaboration with Adelphi University Libraries and The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.

It also is sponsored by the Garden City Public Library, The Collaboration Project, and other Adelphi groups including International Student Services, the Interfaith Center, the International Students Society, the Center for African, Black, and Caribbean Studies and Adelphi University International.

Individuals interested in attending should RSVP on the Adelphi website.

 

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