BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus is hosting The Human Library Project on Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Shreve Hall. The public is invited to attend for free and check out the “books.” Individuals across stereotypical spectrums will serve as the books that visitors can check out to learn more about the person related to the topic.
Brad Thurmond, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, says the event was organized primarily to benefit Ivy Tech students. “The Human Library Project is a great opportunity for students to spend time with a person who has a unique experience to share,” Dr. Thurmond said. “It provides a chance for connection as well as a bridge to build empathy and understanding with one another.”
Some topics of books that will be available are Jewish-American, polyamorous, atheist, Wiccan, and transgender. Other available books will cover topics such as spouse with dementia, blindness, drag queen, law enforcement, recovering addict, sex assault survivor, amputee, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), immigrant, traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor, and obesity.
The Human Library Project is a worldwide movement, intended to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding through civil and open dialogue. Background information about the Human Library Project can be found online at humanlibrary.org.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public post-secondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Ivy Tech serves more than 200,000 students annually and offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training in more than 70 programs across Indiana. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is committed to providing affordable, high-quality education aligned with the needs of Indiana’s workforce.
