Arlington's Central Library Invites Readers To Check Out 'Book' At Human Library

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington Public Library is hosting a Human Library event on Saturday at Central Library, where volunteers from Arlington and across the D.C. area will serve as “human books.”

Developed by the Human Library Organization in Denmark, human "readers" will be able to check out a “human book" at Central Library on Saturday, April 29 from noon to 4 p.m. for an enlightening conversation.

“Everyone has a story,” Arlington Public Library Director Diane Kresh said in a statement. “As part of National Library Week, we are thrilled to host this global initiative, the Human Library, that increases understanding of 'others' through open, respectful conversations.”

Attendees, also known as "readers," will be able to borrow "human books" for 30-minute conversations. All human books come with a title and synopsis to help readers select what they would like to "read," or with whom they’d like to have a conversation.

The book will introduce themselves and tell the reader a little about themselves before the reader can begin to ask questions. If a book is not immediately available, the reader can place a hold for a later time slot on Saturday.

Readers in a family or small group can check out a book together. All books and checkout periods will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. This event is best for ages 14 and older. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Among the “human books” invited to the event are:

• "Tattoo Artist"
• "Nonspeaking Autistic"
• "Blind / Low Vision"
• "Double Minority: Immigrant and Black"
• "Previously Incarcerated"
• "Transgender Man"
• "Sikh Woman"
• "Retired Police Officer"
• "Bipolar Disorder"
• "Gay Military Spouse"
• "American Muslim"

The Human Library has a strict code of conduct, where readers will be expected to treat the books with dignity and respect. Readers are expected to keep an open mind and refrain from acting on the prejudices and stereotypes that the Human Library seeks to dispel.

All discussions at Saturday’s Human Library event are expected to be confidential. Readers should not reveal disclosures made by the books aside from their publicly available information, according to Arlington Public Library.

The Human Library event will take place on the second floor at Central Library. The public can visit the Arlington Public Library website to register or RSVP for Saturday’s event.