Human Library Books: Downers Grove Residents Sought To Share Stories

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The Downers Grove Public Library is seeking residents to share their stories as part of the Hunan Library Book project. Applications are open until June 1, with the Downers Grove Library event set to take place Oct. 2 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A nonprofit organization founded in 2000 in Denmark, The Human Library is a worldwide "library of people and their experiences facing prejudice. Instead of physical books, actual people are on loan for conversations," per the DGPL 2025 Human Library Book application.

The description continues, "Our program with The Human Library aims to create a safe space for conversation where topics subject to taboo, marginalization, or stigmatization can be openly addressed without condemnation. These experiences may include being discriminated against based on race, religion, sexual orientation, class, gender identity, disability; or stigmatized based on other aspects of your life."

Applicants who are selected to be Human Library Books will be required to participate in an online training program.

Click the link to apply to the 2025 Human Library project.