HUMAN LIBRARY @ CONCORDIA

Katharine Hall & Pamela Carson

Agenda

Motivations for holding a Human Library Finding Books Interviews Website & advertising Day of the event Feedback Lessons learned Budget

Motivations for Holding a Human Library

Joint project between Concordia Libraries, the Multi-faith Chaplaincy and Dean of Students Office

A way to involve the library in life of the campus

Support from the University Librarian

Finding Books

29%

42%

8%

13%

8%Library Website (7)

Email solicitation (10)

Other (2)

Facebook (3)

Refered by other Human Book (2)

Interviews

Ensure suitability of human books Conducted 25+ interviews 30-45 minutes Standard list of questions Most time-consuming part of the

process!

Website & Advertising

Website Posters and postcards Contacting departments Press releases

Preparation

Orientation sessions for Books and library staff

Human Book Catalogue (with descriptions)

Advanced bookings Guidelines for readers Space: Room and human book lounge Little things: Signage, name tags, thank

you cards, volunteer t-shirts, library cards, metro passes, child care

Advanced Bookings

Day of the Human Library

September 17th, 2011 11am-6pm

The Day of the Event

Each conversation is 30 minutes Human books scheduled in 3-hour slots 24 Books 50 Readers 93 out of 140 timeslots were booked

What the Readers Said . . .

This was an amazing experience, I hope that this event is done again.

I realized I have a lot of knowledge myself and should be a human book next time.

What the Readers Said . . .

I could read regular books on the same subject I spoke about with the Human

Books, but it makes it so much better to hear it in person, face to face. The

experience is awesome. Thank you so much!

What the Books Said . . .

It was very interesting to have other people open up with their own stories. I

learned a lot.

It gave me a space to be myself and to show that I do have value.

What the Books Said . . .

I loved the positive attention, the care and honouring of my story and my experience, sharing relief and concern about what I’ve

been through and finding out what my emotional landscape was in reaction to

questions and comments.

Lessons Learned

Student librarian management Interview process Press management Needed more breaks for popular human

books (don’t have conversations back to back)

Booking program would have been helpful!

Final Budget

ITEMQUANTITY COST

Flyers for incoming students 1500 $375.00Refreshments for human books & volunteers 30 $478.49Postcards for distribution at library & university 1500 $272.85

T-shirts for volunteers 5 $56.96

Travel (bus fare for Human Books) 5 $27.50Posters (11x17 colour and 8.5x11 B&W) 200 $226.15

Room set-up   $104.00

Professional Photographer   $125.00

TOTAL  $1,665.9

5

THANK YOU/MERCI