Sunday 26 April 2015

Sunday April 26, 2015 The Human Library








TBPL and Leadership Thunder Bay are happy to bring the fourth Human Library to Thunder Bay.  On May 2 between 10:30 and 3:00, the Waverley library will be a buzz in conversation!  In a Human Library, people become the books and are "borrowed" for short conversations in the library.  This type of library offers a unique opportunity to talk with people you might not otherwise meet, to ask questions and to learn about a different lifestyle, a different career, a different perspective. 

The first Human Library was held in Denmark in 2000 and since then, events have been held across the globe. While the first Human Library was focussed around stopping the violence and encouraging dialogue, the same underlying themes come to the surface today:  with dialogue comes understanding, and it is hoped that with understanding comes peace. Visit www.humanlibrary.org for more information.

To attend the Human Library simply show up at the Waverley Library in the Reference Department and stop by the Human Library Circulation Desk.  Conversations are set for 15 minutes in length and you can sign up for as many spots as you like which are available.  You may have to wait for your turn, but what better place to spend some time than at the library.  You may find that you want to check out a paper book to take home!

The collection this year is quite diverse and consists of the following books:
  • a war bride
  • a war veteran living with PTSD
  • a vegan
  • a former NHL hockey player
  • a family member affected by suicide
  • a person living with  mental illness
  • a person who overcame an eating disorder
  • LGBTQ members of our community

If you aren't sure how you would start up a conversation with someone you don't know, that's OK, we have a cheat sheet to help get you started.  So please join the library and the members of this year's class for Leadership Thunder Bay as we celebrate the diversity of people who call Thunder Bay their home.

Barbara Philp

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