Challenge Stereotypes Through Open Dialogue at the Human Library November 20

Stony Brook University Libraries is bringing The Human Library back to Stony Brook on November 20. This in-person event, held on campus for the first time last year, is designed to challenge stereotypes and prejudice through open dialogue with real people.

In this library, the "books" are people and attendees - the "readers" - will get to "check out" the books for 30-minute private conversations. Each book has experience overcoming prejudice or defying a stereotype; you might find yourself speaking with the parent of a gay child, a survivor of a hate crime, someone who is autistic, or is a refugee.

Through these conversations, book and reader have a dialog and people get to ask questions and interact with someone they may never have encountered before.

The Human Library will be open from noon to 3 pm, and again from 5 to 7 pm in the Melville Library Central Reading Room.

The concept of the The Human Library was developed in Denmark in 2000 by Ronni Abergel, Dany Abergel, and colleagues Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen. Library events have been held around the world in partnership with a variety of institutions.

The event is sponsored by University Libraries and the DEIA Team with the Division of Student Affairs, Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Intercultural Initiative (DI3), Office of Military and Veteran Affairs, and Diversity, Intercultural, and Community Engagement (DICE), and the Program in Public Health. Please email [email protected] for more information.