Human Library Events Recap

Local libraries and other centres across Canada, in partnership with the CBC, hosted a number of Human Library events on Saturday January 26. Events took place in Yellowknife, Surrey, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Windsor, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and St. John's. In Edmonton, the event took place at the Stanley A. Milner branch of the Edmonton Public Library. The Edmonton Journal has written an article about the event and includes the perspectives of the “books” as well as the “readers.” An associate manager of Stanley A. Milner was also quoted, describing the purpose and importance of the event:

“An event like this provides people with the opportunity to have a conversation with a person they might not otherwise meet and to help them understand the world, maybe, in a different way.”

The CBC hosted live webcam chats with a variety of Canadians: Susan Ormiston, Measha Brueggergosman, Robert Munsch, Shad, Grace Park, Margaret Trudeau, and Tammy Marquardt. A recording of the sessions is available from the CBC.

Sweater Vest Sunday

Today is also Sweater Vest Sunday! Raise awareness of the need to report challenged material to the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) by wearing a sweater vest. Visit the OIF Blog to find out more about Sweater Vest Sunday and how you can show your support.

Human Library at EPL on January 26

The Canadian National Human Library Day will be taking place this year on January 26. According to the CBC Edmonton Human Library event page,

National Human Library Day is a one-day event hosted by CBC and local libraries across the country, that provides an opportunity for one-on-one conversation between people who may have never meet otherwise in an effort to facilitate understanding and help dispel stereotypes. People from various walks of life, including CBC personalities, will volunteer their time as “living books.” Members of the public will have a chance to “check out” a “book” and ask questions to learn about the person and his, or her, unique or inspiring life.

The Edmonton event will be taking place at the Edmonton Public Library (EPL) Stanley A. Milner branch from 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturday January 26, 2013. At last count, 16 individuals from a variety of backgrounds had volunteered to be living books. However, 2 of the living books are “bestselling” in that they have already been fully reserved due to high demand. Living books may be reserved at the EPL website.

For more information on the Human Library initiative and other Human Libraries across the globe, visit the HUMAN Library website.