We’re all human, but sometimes it’s hard to remember. If you watch or read the news, or try to have a conversation about politics at the dinner table, you can feel the negativity surrounding our society. Part of our humanity is meeting people with different values and backgrounds; we are a diverse country. As advocates of life-long learning, library staff know it is important to have respectful conversations about difficult topics – especially if you disagree with someone.
On Saturday, August 3 from 1 to 4 pm, the Caldwell Public Library will host Humans of Canyon County, a take-off from the Human Library™ - an international organization that challenges stigma and stereotypes with personal dialogue and respectful discussions. This event gathers members from the community and creates an opportunity for them to share their stories in one-on-one conversations. We call our volunteers “books” – and they’ve prepared important parts from their lives to share with others.
What makes our books’ stories unique or worth telling? Our volunteers come from many different backgrounds – from abusive childhoods and addiction to immigration and military service – and they are all ready to share their stories for understanding, healing, and connection. It’s especially difficult when you feel like you might be judged or ridiculed, but everyone has a story, and our books are open.
Have you ever wondered why someone stayed in an abusive situation? How they finally escaped? Perhaps you’ve wanted to learn more about the effects of incarceration or the struggles of going to school and not knowing the language? Humans of Canyon County provides a space for these conversations, while encouraging respectful dialogue. We hope that you learn something or gain new insights by attending.
So how does the event work? To participate, we ask that you be at least 16 years old or come with a parent. We will have a welcome desk where you can browse the stories available and reserve a 30-minute time slot with one of our volunteer books. But don’t stop at one! We encourage our participants to speak to as many books as possible – who knows? Maybe you’ll start a new friendship.
If you have questions about this event, or would like more information, please contact Marina or Ellie at 208-459-3242 or infolibrary@cityofcaldwell.org.
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