The Crawfordsville District Public Library will host a Human Library event on Saturday, inviting the community to engage in open conversations that break down biases and foster understanding.
Humans United for Equality collaborated with CDPL to organize the event, creating a space for dialogue between “human books” and readers. Participants check out a person — rather than a traditional book — to learn about their lived experiences. The books cover topics ranging from being undocumented to working as a probation officer.
Jennifer Abbott, president of HUE, saw the Human Library years ago and believed it could help local sub-populations connect. She contacted Ivette de Assis-Wilson, CDPL’s Adult Services Department Manager, who immediately supported the initiative.
“We wanted a safe, neutral space,” Abbott said.
De Assis-Wilson emphasized the importance of fostering genuine human connections in an increasingly divided society. She noted that while technology and social progress have advanced, people still struggle to see beyond their differences.
“The more that we think we’ve evolved, the less we are seeing the humanity in other people,” de Assis-Wilson said. “We tend to categorize others based on preconceived notions, rather than taking the time to listen and understand.”
CDPL applied for a license from the Human Library Organization, which partners exclusively with libraries because of their neutral stance. Abbott emphasized that the event’s goal is not to debate or change opinions but to create a space for respectful curiosity.
“There is no agenda with the event,” Abbott said. “The goal is learning. This is not to be a debate. This is not to tell anyone they’re wrong or here’s what you should be concluding about me. It is inviting conversations that we rarely get to have so that you can have your curiosity peaked and satisfied.”
There are 27 people that have volunteered as books and completed training to answer difficult questions. Trained librarians will oversee the event, ensuring that conversations remain respectful and within the designated 30-minute checkout periods. Therapist Mindy Frazee will also be available to provide decompressing sessions for both books and readers if needed.
“You know, we keep people around us that are familiar. We curate our social media to be things that are familiar. We read books, watch TV shows. All these things are kind of familiar. And when we do that, it’s natural and normal. We all do it,” Frazee said.
“We all have unconscious biases towards things that are different, which is also natural and normal. We all have them. But when we do that, it keeps our world really small,” she continued.
“And when we’re able to, I don’t know, go outside our comfort zone a little bit, our world just expands a little more,” Frazee added.
Joyce Burnette, an economics professor at Wabash College, will serve as one of the event’s librarians. She noted that people often stay in familiar social circles, missing opportunities to meet others with different experiences.
“So, I think that we tend to live our lives sort of in silos and talking to the people that, you know, we know because they are family, friends, and co-workers. And, you know, we can live in the same city with other people and never meet them,” Burnette said. “So, this is an opportunity to maybe meet some people that you wouldn’t otherwise meet.”
The Human Library event will take place in the library’s basement from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will be guided through the process by librarians, who will help them select a book based on available topics. The event aims to create a space where conversations can take place without judgment, allowing participants to discuss experiences in an open and understanding environment.
