Sharing of Diverse Life Experiences Focus of Human Library
City, Naperville Public Library and Naper Pride to co-host April 20 event that encourages frank conversations about personal life experiences
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — People with diverse life experiences will serve as human books who can be “checked out” for conversation during a Human Library® program hosted in partnership by the City of Naperville, Naperville Public Library and Naper Pride. Attendees are invited to participate between the hours of 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr.
Created by a Denmark-based nonprofit, the Human Library® concept creates a safe platform for personal conversations that can help to challenge prejudice and discrimination, prevent conflicts, and contribute to greater cohesion across social, religious and ethnic divisions. During Human Library® events, people, rather than books, are on loan for conversations. Topics might include disability, ethnicity, gender and sex, health, ideology, lifestyle, mental health, occupation, religion and sexuality. Human books share stories of their lived experiences, while attendees are encouraged to ask questions.
Registration is encouraged for the free event. To find more details and to register, please visit https://naperville.il.us/embrace-community. For more information about the Human Library®, please visit humanlibrary.org.
This event is part of several inclusive community conversations to be hosted by the City, in partnership with other organizations, in its 2024 “Embracing Community: Expanding Our Dialogue, Deepening Our Understanding” series. The conversations will include storytelling, as well as opportunities for the community to participate in intentional, respectful, and ongoing dialogue to deepen understanding while fostering inclusion among generations, cultures, and those with different experiences.
About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.