Cozby Library in Coppell, TX is thinking outside the box – and outside the books, for that matter – in an effort to bring stories to life in a whole new way. For the event, people will be able to “check out” five people for 30-minute conversations – where no questions will be off-limits - designed to create dialogue and increase understanding of subjects that are often misunderstood.
For the event, people will be able to “check out” five people for 30-minute conversations – where no questions will be off-limits - designed to create dialogue and increase understanding of subjects that are often misunderstood.
The "human books" are volunteers and Coppell residents who will act as representatives of these communities: a refugee, a police officer, a Muslim, someone with a multi-ethnic background and the parents of a child with special needs.
Coppell Rotarian, Steve Graybill and his wife, Sharon will participate as the human books on “parents of children with special needs”.
“I think this is an awesome idea,” said Sharon Graybill, the "special needs parent."
Graybill hopes to have a frank and open conversation with others because she says she would've benefited from one decades ago. “I needed to talk to people and there wasn’t as much information,” Graybill said. “And the best advice came from people who are living it, and who have lived it. I thought they understood.”
The Human Library concept began in Denmark in 2000, and later spread to other libraries in Europe, according to Rotarian and Library Director Victoria Chiavetta.