About the Program:
- Join Arlington Public Library to Challenge Stereotypes and Unjudge Someone. The Human Library® creates a safe space for dialogue where topics are discussed openly between our human books and their readers. All of our human books are volunteers with personal experience with their topic. The Human Library® is a place where difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered. Attendees, also known as "readers," will be able to borrow" human books" for 30-minute conversations. All human books come with a title and synopsis to help readers select what they would like to "read" (ie. with whom they would like to converse). This is an opportunity to speak with people with different lived experiences.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as a support volunteer by helping to keep track of the conversations taking place between human books and human readers.
- Be a welcoming and friendly presence at the Human Library event, representing both Arlington Public Library and the spirit of the event with appropriate behavior.
- Escort "readers" to and from their respective tables where their conversation will take place and serve as timekeeper.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Direct readers to complete evaluations
- Help with event set-up and clean-up
Types of volunteers:
- Adults
- Teens (if they meet qualifications criteria)
Time commitment:
- Sat., Apr. 12; 10 am - 5 pm
- Attend an online orientation/event overview on Wed. Apr. 10 at 4:30 pm.
Qualifications:
- Enjoy working with, and have deep respect for, people of different backgrounds
- Enjoy working within the Arlington community
- Friendly and positive attitude
- Proactive
- Excellent attention to detail
- Discreet
Benefits
- Help the Library!
- Participate in a feel-good, community-centered event.
- Meet interesting people.
- Earn community service hours (if applicable)
- Get a cool t-shirt!
