For the fifth year running, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library will present the Human Library at Fairfield University. This year’s virtual event is expected to draw hundreds of students, faculty, and staff members to share and listen to each other’s stories about breaking down the barriers of stereotypes based on race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, life choices, and more. Registration is now open for half-hour Zoom conversations on Oct. 23, in the morning between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., and in the afternoon from 2 until 4 p.m. 

Due to the limited number of time slots available please register for only ONE book session. Please make sure that you are available for the full 30-minute time slot. NetID and password are required, and registrants will be emailed a Zoom link and guidelines one day prior to the event. 

While other organizations chose to cancel their annual Human Libraries due to Covid-19 restrictions, co-chairs Barbara Ghilardi, assessment librarian, and Lisa Thornell, student engagement and outreach librarian, felt very strongly that this experiential learning opportunity must be carried on. Thornell explained, “The Human Library offers a space for difficult dialogues which we feel is particularly important during this time when we all are looking for ways to connect authentically with each other. It also gives our community the opportunity to learn about others’ experiences and identities as we work towards building empathy and creating a stronger community to support those who have experienced some form of discrimination.”

Readers are encouraged to visit the Library's Event Page to read about the dozens of stories waiting to be told.

Jessica is one of the Human Books sharing her story. She has participated in the event in previous years as well. Her story description is “I am an international, domestic, commuter undergraduate student, and a proud Afro-Caribbean Dominican woman that fits into almost every minority. I am an outsider and an insider. My story is of my journey to become a Fairfield student, the discovery of my identity, and how my struggles have built me along the way.” There are also several other “sequels” (books returning from last year) and new stories as well.

One-on-one Zoom sessions will be 30 minutes long with a brief orientation for general guidelines and discussion framing. Books will have 20 minutes to share their stories and to converse about readers' questions and comments. Following the session, readers will be asked to provide a brief reflection on the experience.