Seventh Annual Community Engagement Project
by Stop The Violence (Denmark)
Curated by Dave Deveau & Jordy Matheson
Produced by Emily Neumann
In partnership with the Vancouver Public Library
A quarterly presentation launching February 2, 2019
VPL Central Branch
Free event
The Human Library initiative is an international phenomenon, started in Copenhagen as a project to fight hate in communities. It is designed to promote dialogue, reduce prejudices and encourage understanding. By connecting people who under normal circumstances might not have had a chance to sit down and talk, the library enables groups to break stereotypes by challenging common prejudices in a positive and humorous manner.
“A paper book exists in the finite space of printed text and internalized reading. A human book, however, exists in the real four-dimensional scope of human experience. The reader can’t skip bits or neglect their book, a human book requires fixed attention and, through that intimate engagement with another’s story, invites empathy through real human engagement”
Interface
“A very good read”
Jerry Wasserman, Vancouver Province
Human Library was started by a group of five individuals who founded the organization Stop The Violence after a brutal attack on a mutual friend. The first Human Library was held in Denmark in 2000 and the concept has since gained huge popularity and momentum. Over the past twelve years in over sixty-five countries, thousands of “human books” have connected with “readers” of all walks of life.
Six years into the journey of this Vancouver edition of the international sensation, lives are being changed, 20 minutes at a time. Choose one of the titles in our collection of amazing humans and change your point of view.