Participants in the Human Library event at the Isaac Waldman Jewish Public Library on April 7. (photo from Waldman Library)
The Human Library event at the Isaac Waldman Jewish Public Library on April 7 drew a diversity of “human books” (volunteers who shared some of their life experiences) and readers (people who came out to learn about those experiences). Titles included Police Officer; Coping with Dementia: A Mother/Son Story; More than just MS; Brain Cancer Survivor; Your Jewish Community Newspaper; and Partners in Care. Books and readers gathered at the library, had snacks and shmoozed, before participating in three separate reading sessions over the course of the afternoon. The purpose of the event is to connect one-on-one or few-on-one with individuals from different cultural backgrounds and lifestyles, celebrating our differences and fostering understanding.