What’s a human library?

The poster read, “Walk-ins are welcome and may check out books upon arrival.” But these were no ordinary books. They were human.

The Office of Diversity Affairs and Murray Library hosted its second annual Human Library Project April 17.

This learning platform, hosted in 85 countries, allows volunteers to be “open books,” sharing personal stories with attendees. The concept is designed to build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue.

This year, author of historical fiction Anthony Grooms served as one of the “books,” telling his journey as an African-American man born “months after Brown v. Board” who grew up “in the shadow of Monticello” in Virginia. 

It was nothing like Little Rock, but it did create an interesting ambivalence,” said Grooms of his school integration experience, “one in which we were somewhat welcomed in the public spaces, but we never visited friends at home. It was still a strong segregated code outside the school.

Special Assistant to the President and Provost for Diversity Affairs Todd Allen and Technical Services Coordinator Liz Kielley co-chaired the event.

“What begins as an initial conversation among strangers has often blossomed into deep and meaningful friendships as people learn things about others that are unique, but also find many things they hold in common that, without listening to one another, they would have never known,” said Allen.

— Anna Seip