EVERYONE HAS A STORY: THE HUMAN LIBRARY EXPERIENCE

Access our collection of documents at: Corri Hines Public Library of Union County Elizabeth KielleyMessiah College Ryan Ake Susquehanna University Planning Logistics Partnering Organizat

EVERYONE HAS

A STORY:

T H E H U M A N L I B R A R Y E X P E R I E N C E

Starting a Human Library event in your area is not difficult, but does take significant planning Here's an outline of information to think about as you begin planning your event.

Access our collection

of documents at:

Corri Hines

Public Library of Union County Elizabeth KielleyMessiah College

Ryan Ake

Susquehanna University

Planning Logistics

Partnering Organizations

The Human Library

United Way

Campus Office of Diversity

Diversity and Inclusion Councils

Volunteer recruitment organizations Local religious groups

Centers for cultural development

Consider collaborating with local organizations in the community and those on your campus to recruit books, provide financial support, offer staffing and more

Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls

Ask human books for permission to use their name, book title, picture, etc

Meet with press/reporters to highlight human books who have given permission to be covered in media

Recruit a mediator or counselor as a resource for any human books or participants during the event

Hold sensitivity training for volunteers to understand the expectations of the program and to advise on conduct during tense situations

Create a catalog of human books to publish on your library website or libguide for participants to review prior to the event

Decide whether you will allow walk-in readers or if you will require all readers to register prior to the event

Contact

Information

Corri Hines

Public Library of Union County

chines@publibuc.org

Elizabeth Kielley

Messiah College

ekielley@messiah.edu

Ryan Ake

Susquehanna University

ake@susqu.edu

:

bit.ly/HLdocuments

First things first Make sure you fill out your New Organizer Application through the

HumanLibrary.org website

Determine spaces for the event including an area for participants to register, quiet

spaces for one-on-one or small group conversation, & a separate location for human

books to take a break from conversation

Recruit volunteers from local service organizations or school districts to assist during

the event

Hold an orientation for speakers to discuss their roles as human books, the layout of

the program, and the timeline of the event

Advertise your program through social media, local newspapers, flyers, etc Utilize your

partners to help spread the word

Provide questions for both speakers and readers to ask to start their conversations

Provide a list of responses for speakers to use if they are not comfortable sharing

information that is too personal

Clearly post the Human Library Rules of Behavior to encourage both speakers and

participants to maintain a safe space for sharing stories

Collect feedback from both participants and speakers