Campus Life

UPDATE: 2018 Penn State Human Library canceled, organizers hoping to reschedule

Penn State’s 2018 Human Library, originally scheduled for Feb. 7, has been canceled out of an abundance of concern for participants' safety. An impending severe winter storm is anticipated to impact the University Park campus during the time the event was to have been held. Organizers are hoping to reschedule for a later date, so that the event may once again bring together readers who would like to “borrow” human books to challenge stereotypes and prejudices and discuss differences in a safe, supportive environment. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Please note: This event has been cancelled due to weather. See details below.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Originally scheduled for Feb. 7, Penn State’s 2018 Human Library has been canceled today (Feb. 6) out of an abundance of concern for participants' safety. An impending severe winter storm is anticipated to impact the University Park campus during the time the event was to have been held. 

Organizers are hoping to reschedule for a later date, so that the event may once again bring together readers who would like to “borrow” human books to challenge stereotypes and prejudices and discuss differences in a safe, supportive environment. 

The event was scheduled to take place 1-5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 7, in Pattee Library and Paterno Library classrooms. Interested participants still may read 2018 human book titles and synopses and at https://tinyurl.com/human2018-psulibs. Information regarding the possibility of a future date will be posted once a future date has been secured and revised details are finalized. 

During a Human Library event, “human books” volunteer to share their unique experiences in small group settings during 45-minute increments. Human books will answer participants’ honest, curious questions in an effort to challenge stereotypes and prejudice through dialogue — and difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered. The 2018 selection of volunteer “human books” were chosen from the entire University population of faculty, staff and students; hail from all walks of life, ages, genders and lifestyle choices; and are willing to share their experiences with others in group conversations.

Libraries are using innovative ideas such as the Human Library to attract users, and are pursuing areas of service where they can be essential to people in the age of ever-accelerating social media. The Human Library idea was started in 2000 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has spread to over 70 countries. Its mission enhances Penn State’s All In diversity and inclusion initiative. Penn State's first Human Library was held in 2017.

The Penn State Human Library is sponsored by the University Libraries in cooperation with Penn State’s Adult Learner Programs and Services, Gender Equity Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, LGBTQA Student Resource Center, Multicultural Resource Center, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Penn State Hillel, Schreyer Honors College and the University Office of Global Programs.

For further information, please contact Megan Gilpin at mcg13@psu.edu or call 814-867-0069.

Last Updated February 6, 2018

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