“Human Library” Puts New Face on Learning at NextNOW Fest

Campus arts celebration to feature 50+ performances.

By Sala Levin ’10 / Maryland Today

Ever wanted to know what it’s like to live with a disability? Face religious discrimination for wearing traditional Islamic clothing? Be a police officer?

At today and tomorrow’s NextNOW Fest at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, you can learn about these experiences and more straight from a book—but not the kind you’re thinking of. In the Human Library project, people act as “books” visitors can “check out” and talk to about their life experiences.

The Human Library, presented at the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library, was conceived in Copenhagen in 2000 as a way for people to rethink their stereotypes and prejudices through person-to-person interaction. Since then, Human Libraries have been added to events and festivals around the globe.

Read the complete article in Maryland Today.

Photo by Dylan Singleton via Maryland Today.