Human Library aims to challenge stereotypes

March 27, 2019 Kelly Gampel

“Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

That’s the tagline to a worldwide movement called “Human Library.” Washtenaw Community College students and community members gathered in Bailey Library on WCC’s campus March 27 to be or read “books” that could be “checked out” for a time.

Each book had a different story to tell – overcoming addiction, pursuing master degrees despite not faring well early on in education to an honor’s student with ADHD. The aim of the movement is to “challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue.”

WCC student Julia Bishop pushed her nerves to the side as she told her story of being a Wiccan in a predominantly Baptist family.

“I wanted to hear other people’s stories but then I came here and well, I was like, I kind of have a story to share as well,” Bishop explained, noting she was enjoying her time with the people who were borrowing her time.

One of Bishop’s readers, fellow WCC student Sheytouch Som said she liked the event; that it was her first time at a Human Library and planned to be back to check out more books as her schedule allowed.

For photos from the event, check out our Flickr album.

Tags: Human Library, Library, ousearch_News_2019

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