Human Books library to open in Castlebar

A ‘Human Books’ library, which opens at the County Library, Castlebar, on Monday next, June 13, from 3 to 7 p.m., is set to capture the public imagination. 

There will be a range of titles to choose from the ‘Human Books’ and some of the themes covered include addiction, mental health, sexuality, teenage mothers, brain tumour, refugee, alternative living and disability.

The Castlebar Human Library Project was set in motion by three local organisers, Debbie Beirne (Ruach Rhythms), Mark Garavan (GMIT) and Breda Ruane (Mayo/Sligo/Leitrim ETB Youth Officer).

The trio saw a great need to bring people together in ‘Open Dialogue’ spaces in response to growing social isolation within our communities.

They wanted to create a space where the emphasis was not on our differences, but on ‘celebration of the diversity of being human’.

It’s essentially a space where people can engage with others in a mutually enriching way while also helping people to get past the ignorance and fear that underpins the causes of prejudice and stereotyping.

They felt it was very important to raise awareness of the many different reasons people may experience social exclusion and isolation and take positive action to address some of the issues that can lead to social isolation, bullying, abuse and hate crimes.

They came across the Human Library organisation which is a worldwide equalities movement for social change that challenges prejudice and discrimination through social contact.

The Human Library uses the mechanism of a library to facilitate respectful conversations between people whose paths may never normally cross in life.

Just like in a real library, a visitor to the Human Library can choose a book from a range of titles, the difference is that the books are real people and reading is a conversation.

A press release issued by the organisers said: 'The purpose of the Human Library is to challenge what we think we know about other members of our community.

'It is designed to challenge both our own internal prejudices as well as social prejudices. It is a space where difficult questions are accepted, expected and appreciated.

'The hope is that by meeting and witnessing people on a more human level, and hearing their life experiences, these respectful conversations can positively change people’s attitudes and behaviours towards members of our community who are at risk of exclusion or marginalisation.

'As humans’ racism and prejudice can only exist when we see ‘the other’ as separate from us, or as somehow different from us.

'When we ‘meet’ people and witness them from the point of our common humanity it is very difficult to hold onto prejudice, especially when we see and hear first-hand the depth of their human experience.'

For further information, people can contact the Library directly or contact Debbie on (087) 6326610 or Breda on (087) 7738312.