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Living Library

Contact Us

Claire Staub
Communications Specialist
Claire brought the Living Library concept to Criss Library in 2015 to help promote diversity and inclusion within the UNO community and make connections between our students and people in the greater Omaha area. Claire's favorite part of the Living Library is hearing about how much positive impact this event has had for both readers and book.

Tammi Owens
Outreach & Instruction Librarian
Tammi was thrilled to join Claire in organizing this event shortly after arriving at UNO in 2016. She believes in the power of personal communication to change minds. Tammi's favorite part of the Living Library is getting to know our newest Living Books each year.

Karen Jabens
Reference Associate
 

 

 

Find out the rest of the story!

April 7, 2022
4pm-7pm
Community Engagement Center

What is a Living Library? 
UNO Libraries Living Library event is based on The Human Library event. The Human Library brings together people who may not have met in different circumstances in order to dismantle prejudices and smash stereotypes. It is an opportunity to have real conversations with real people. Individuals with diverse life experiences act as human books, and readers “check out” the human books for 20-30 minutes to learn and ask questions about the human book’s personal experiences. Here's a short video about Human Libraries.
How It Works

You must have a reservation to sit down and speak with a Living Book. You can bring friends -- groups of up to four people can speak to one Living Book at a time, but only one of you can create the reservation online. Reserve early! If you wait until the day of the event to make a reservation, it's likely you won't get a chance to speak with a Living Book.

  • Click the "Reserve a human book" button below, browse the list of titles, and select a Living Book.
  • Reserve your Living Book online.
  • Come to the Community Engagement Center at least 15 minutes prior to your reservation and check in at the table by the main entrance. We'll escort you to your Living Book's location.
  • Have a one-on-one conversation with your Living Book. Conversations can be up to 30 minutes long. Come with questions! As long as you're respectful and genuinely curious, your Living Book understands that sometimes you can't find "the right" words.
Reserve a Book

Reservations will open on March 23rd, 2022.

Reserve a Living Book

  1. To reserve a book, click on the button and select April 7 as your date.
  2. Select a time slot under the Living Book, and click Submit Times.
  3. Fill out your name and email, and click Submit Booking.
  4. You will receive an email confirming your appointment. Please use the cancellation link if you cannot attend.
  5. Don't see the Living Book you were hoping to reserve? That means they are all booked up! Please check in at the registration table during the event to be placed on a waitlist for that book.