Human Books Share Their Stories

​Sedona Public Library is pleased to partner with the Sedona International City of Peace and Rotary Club of Sedona for the second Sedona Human Library™ event, on Sunday, September 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  at the Library on White Bear Road.
 
The event is part of the Human Library project (www.humanlibrary.org), an international effort that is now local. This global movement for social change has the potential to alter our hearts and minds as to how we regard those in our community who struggle with all kinds of societal judgments and stigmas.
 
It’s easy to judge a book by its cover. But what if you could “borrow” it and sit down and talk with the subject? During the FREE Human Library event, you’ll have the opportunity to do that!  You can select human books, listen to their short presentations, and engage in dialogue with them to gain understanding. The live human books will courageously share their stories of being marginalized, categorized, or stigmatized for their differences.  
 
Expand your awareness of the limitations you may have set for yourself to connect with people in our community in a whole new and understanding way. There are so many ways that we connect with others, and sometimes the one thing holding the connection at bay is our lack of understanding.  
 
This year we have over 40 Human Books, with stigmas and labels that include:  Transgender, Lesbian, Addict, Burn Survivor, Talks with Dogs, Physically Disabled, UFO Abductee, Woman Priest, Privileged Class, Homeless, Pet Griever, Democrat Now a Trump Supporter, Crazy Cat Lover, and German/Nazi.
 
Human books that will be available include the following titles:
“Aging Means Declining” —Retired and getting older, this subject is expected to decline as he approaches death. Instead, he has found passion, purpose, life mission and legacy, and says, “I’m just warming up at 75.”
 
“Dancing with Death” —Two near-death experiences from medical experiences and one from a violent attack, had her discover who she really is. Dancing with death can bring a total rebirth.
 
“A Man and His Extraterrestrial Friends” —From a depressed teenage musician to “the guy who talks to aliens,” he now shares messages of spiritual evolution through close encounters with aliens. Often called weird, he is fully expressed at the core.
 
“Illegally Healed” — “Cannabis saved my life. When people know that I have used cannabis for healing they assume that I am lazy, immature, escaping, a pothead, a loser, and a drug addict. As a cannabis advocate, I want to be a model of the typical cannabis consumer.”
 
Space is limited. Please register at this link for the Sedona Human Library™ event.
 
Attendees may select from up to eight 30-minute sessions. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the sessions scheduled for 10:00, 10:45, 11:30, 12:15, 2:00, 2:45, 3:30, and 4:15, to select and locate your book.
 
The Sedona International City of Peace was recognized and established as the 35th city of now over 225 International Cities of Peace. Rotary International is an organization of community leaders who meet regularly to exchange ideas and take action to make their community and the world a better place. The Library’s partnership with these community organizations aligns us all in our commitment in expanding our reach and impact in creating a culture of peace in Sedona.

Sedona Public Library
Column for September 14, 2018
Written by Virginia Volkman, Library Director