Describe Project and Impact:
Check out a human to facilitate interaction, sharing and understanding between diverse individuals to encourage tolerance, empathy and understanding.
Project Description and Expected Outcomes:
Projects of this kind originated in Copenhagen to break down prejudices through one-on-one conversations. Use a library card to check out a human book and learn about their unique experience in the world. http://www.yongestreetmedia.ca/features/humanbooks1208.aspx
This might encourage members of the community who feel "different" in our county to openly express themselves and possibly be better understood.
Why should we select this project?:
It has been highly successful in other library systems, and would increase the value of the library card by giving members connections to each other and to different thoughts, ideas, and ways of life in a non-threatening environment. This is an opportunity to make libraries a community hub, and make people smarter with one person at a time interactions.
Constraints, Limitations, or Dependencies:
Finding the best people to check out - those that have experiences outside the norm who are willing to be transparent in sharing.
Partner/Supporting Departments:
Development/Volunteer Services
Human Resources
Marketing
Public Services
