人类图书馆 uplifts our priority of enriching campus diversity and inclusion. I hope you will join me in an 下午 of learning from diverse, personal stories shared by members of our own community. 的se lived experiences can help us all challenge stereotypes, 面对偏见, and develop a more nuanced understanding of one another.

– President Darrin Good

人类的图书馆^®

Watch this page for information on our 2023 人类的图书馆® event.

人类图书馆^® is an interactive immersive storytelling event where Nebraska Wesleyan faculty, staff and students can share their lived experiences and unique perspectives. This event aims to challenge stigma and bias, fostering a deeper understanding between NWU community members through personal conversations.

What is the 人类的图书馆^®?

的人类的图书馆^® is an internationally recognized event designed to create a positive platform where people of different backgrounds can come together to ask questions, share stories about diverse life experiences, and have conversations that challenge stereotypes, 偏见, and preconceived ideas.

Volunteers are trained to share their stories as human “books” and campus members are invited to participate as book “readers”.

什么是人类的书?

Graphic of a human with a book for a head with these words around it: aids, 含酒精的, 厌食症患者, 阿斯伯格综合症, 无性, 双相, 双性恋, BDSM, body-modified, 贪食症, 大脑受损, 强迫性赌徒, 蒲公英的孩子, 转换, 抑郁, deaf-blind, 禁用, 家庭暴力, 诵读困难的, 女权主义, HIV +, 无家可归的人, 犹太人, 记者, 女同性恋, 穆斯林, 肥胖, 警察, 政治家, 难民, 罗马, 围巾的女孩, 精神分裂症, 自我伤害, 性虐待, 跟踪, 变性人, 失业, 素食主义者, 受害者 — Examples of book titles from other Human Libraries.

每一个人类的书 in the library represents a group in our society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, 诊断, 信仰, 残疾, 社会地位, ethnic origin or any other label.

Human books will share their personal experiences through short conversations with "readers".

Human books will receive training and support before, during, and after our 人类的图书馆^® 下午.

人类图书馆^® aligns with two of Nebraska Wesleyan’s core values—diversity and personal attention to students. 的 event will allow NWU to broaden perspectives on humanity and its diverse cultural expressions among students, 教职员工. 的 event will capitalize on the notion that each student is a unique individual, a person of dignity and sacred worth. NWU encourages opportunities for students to develop maturity, personal responsibility and a sense of values and to enhance intellectual, 精神上的, 物理, emotional and aesthetic resources. Books are vulnerable, 诚实的, 和勇敢的, which offers the readers an opportunity to listen with compassion and ask questions with genuine curiosity. 人类图书馆^® will benefit the participants beyond the event itself, enabling students and staff to take their experiences and apply them off campus.

What to expect when “reading” a book?

Conversations are 30-minutes uninterrupted.
每一个 book will be in a group with 2-5 readers
Readers are expected to engage and ask questions.
Be courteous and respectful of other viewpoints.

如何参与

All students and employees are invited to participate as a book, a reader or event volunteer.

Ready to share your story? 完成这个人类的图书馆^® 书的形式. 的re is no registration needed if you’d like to "borrow" a book, just come and go as your schedule allows.

To volunteer, contact Karla Jensen, kjensen [at] aprender-a-bailar.com (kjensen[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu).

Additional information

You can find additional resources and research at 人类的图书馆^® Resources and 研究 LibGuide.

Test your unconscious bias with this quiz from the 人类的图书馆^® 组织 featuring real books from real Human Libraries.

人类的图书馆^® books are real people with real life stories that deal with difficult subjects; if you need someone to talk to, there will be trained 咨询 professionals at the event. If you need assistance before or after this event, call (402) 465-2464 周一至周五上午8点.m.–5 p.m. 或电子邮件咨询 [at] aprender-a-bailar.com (咨询[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu) to schedule an appointment.

Thanks to 的 Wolf Fund, the Office of 多样性 and 包容, 图书馆职员, the 库珀中心 and the Communication Thru Dialogue class for their support.