Stories They Could Tell: Human Library® Makes Diversity the Protagonist 

The Human Library® concept is simple: people volunteer to become “books,” and curious “readers” spend 20-30 minutes with subjects asking questions and participating in a frank dialogue intended to make an unfamiliar story more understandable.

In November, following the enthusiastic response to the inaugural event on campus in 2023, Stony Brook University held its second Human Library. The event was sponsored by University Libraries and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) team within the Division of Student Affairs, Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Intercultural Initiative (DI3), Office of Military and Veteran Student Services, Diversity, Intercultural, and Community Engagement (DICE), and the Program in Public Health.

Developed in Denmark in 2000, the Human Library® is designed to provide participants with a positive framework from which conversations that challenge stereotypes and prejudices can take place.

This year, 30 members of the Stony Brook community, representing a range of diverse areas including ethnicity, lifestyle, sexual orientation and health status, volunteered to serve as “books,” attracting more than 150 readers who stopped by to hear their stories. The effort began back in 2019, when Janet Clarke, associate dean of research and learning at Stony Brook University Libraries, saw a presentation on the Human Library® at a conference. 

“It clicked with me instantly about how powerful this could be,” said Clarke. “It’s so important to create a safe and supportive space where people can be vulnerable. These interactions are one-on-one, very intimate, and very real.”

Renee Chabot-Mehlin, a PhD student in atmospheric chemistry, volunteered as a “book,” sharing her experience of having an identical twin. 

“A lot of people have assumptions about identical twins, and I liked being able to explore those assumptions through an open dialogue,” she said. “I really connected to the SBU community through this program. I felt like I helped people understand their own unconscious bias about twins and hopefully helped people understand that at the end of the day, we are all individuals that are deserving of empathy, kindness, and respect regardless of appearance. It was really fulfilling to share my unique experience with readers.”

“This was an invaluable experience that forced me to be vulnerable and share my story in an environment that caressed social justice ideology, openness, and non-judgmental stances on various aspects of my life, heard through the voices of human library books,” said Deborah Britton-Riley, coordinator for New Student and Transition Programs, who shared her story as an African-American woman in America. “It was cathartic and freeing, and it assisted me in my personal ‘book’ development. It is very inspiring to be a ‘book’ in the Human Library.”

“I was excited to see that the ‘library’ grew and that there were so many new ‘books’ at this year’s Human Library®,” said Usama Shaikh, assistant chief diversity officer in DI3, who has volunteered as a human “book” twice, sharing his experience as a Muslim. “It’s great to see that this wonderful event has grown from the previous year, adding new stories for the readers. Having done this last year, I felt a lot more comfortable as a ‘book’ and engaging with ‘readers.’” 

“Readers” also came away with a clearer view of the experiences of others.

“I chose my book to better get to know a coworker that works in the Office of Student Life with me,” said Ashley Liegi, assistant director for the Center for Civic Justice. “It was a fantastic experience. I was really intrigued by the Human Library® experience last year but I didn’t have time to stop by. I had a really great and intimate conversation. I think a lot of people will walk away from this with the classic ‘don’t judge a book by its cover,’ but for me, I was able to learn a lot more about a coworker that I love and appreciate already, but now I know so much more about what makes her the person she is than I did before.”

“I picked the book I chose because it seemed interesting, and I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Teagan O’Connell, a freshman journalism major. “It was very interesting. This is my first time experiencing Human Library® and I learned some new things and experiences I wouldn’t have known personally if it wasn’t told to me today. The lesson of the ‘book’ was not to judge someone from the way they look.”

“One of the common themes for both years has been the genuine desire and interest of the readers in learning more about the ‘books’,” added Shaikh. “It is one of those rare times in life where I feel that judgement is suspended and folks are able to not filter themselves and ask questions that they may not feel comfortable asking any other time. I would recommend this program to anyone to come and be a part of it whether it is as a ‘book,’ ‘reader’ or a volunteer.”

“The power of this program is that a reader can sit down with an unfamiliar ‘book’ and realize, through the conversation, that there are recognizable experiences such as being excluded, the longing for belonging, and the courage it takes to be authentic in this world,” said Clarke. “We also see ‘readers’ sitting down with books they know in another context like work and learning something completely new about them. We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. Everyone treated this event with respect, curiosity, and care.” 

— Robert Emproto