• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Alert

Program Alert: Storytimes Will “Take a Nap” from May 30 – June 19 More Info

Alert

HOLIDAY: All Library Locations Closed Mon., May 29 for Memorial Day. More Info

Home - Arlington County Virginia - Logo
MENUMENU
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • Borrow, Renew, Return
    • Holds
    • About My Account
    • My eAccounts
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
  • Contact Us

Arlington Public Library

MENUMENU
  • Search
      • Browse New
      • Browse All
  • Events
    • Arlington Reads
    • Featured Events
    • Calendar
    • On Demand Programs
  • eCollection
    • eAudiobooks
    • eBooks
    • Digital Magazines and Newspapers
    • Learning Tools
    • Research Tools
    • Streaming Video
    • All eCollection
  • Research
    • Research Portal
    • Research Tools A-Z
    • Local History
  • Library Services
    • Accessibility Services
    • For Book Lovers
    • Garden Tool Library
    • Maker
    • Meeting Rooms
    • Notary
    • Public Computers
    • Teleconnect Space
    • More Services
  • Join Now
  • My Account
    • Login
    • Borrow, Renew, Return
    • Holds
    • About My Account
    • My eAccounts
  • Hours & Locations
    • All Hours & Locations
    • Holiday Closings
  • News
  • Contact Us

New Library App Arrives in May!

Director’s Message: Reflections on the Human Library

Post Published: May 1, 2023

Arlington Public Library hosted a "Human Library" this past Saturday. 
 
Some hours after it ended, I felt a deep appreciation for an extraordinary day spent with Arlington County colleagues, friends, families, a baby and more than a hundred curious readers eager to engage in honest, face-to-face conversations. “Human books” and readers sat across from one another, respectfully probed highly personal subjects, listened and learned.  
 
Living as we do in a time when technology makes information constantly available, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the volume of news stories that highlight our differences and headline depressing topics.

The "Human Library" offers an alternative. A promise of increasing understanding, acceptance and mutual respect by simply sitting down and talking openly and unreservedly to one another.

Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.
Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.
Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.
Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.
Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.
Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.
Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.
Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.
Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.
Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.

On Saturday, April 29, 16 "human books" were accessed over 110 times by event participants. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.

I was a "human book"—my title, “Coming Out Late.” Each conversation I had was a revelation, an opportunity for me to delve further into my own story and relate to someone as they reflect on their own or those they hold dear.

What an honor and a privilege to share one’s most intimate thoughts and experiences with a stranger and come away feeling seen and heard. 
I am thankful to the Library leadership for their willingness to try something completely different and to our extraordinary staff who spent months planning the program.

I am grateful to those who joined us and gave selflessly of themselves and for demonstrating to the community how to care for one another.

Our "Human Library" was a very big deal, and we hope to bring it back again soon.

Always open. Always free. Always human.

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

May 1, 2023 by Library Communications Officer Filed Under: App, Director's Blog, Homepage

Primary Sidebar


DK high school photo

Arlington County Native and Library Director Diane Kresh


Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.

Director’s Message: Reflections on the Human Library


May 1, 2023


Library Director Diane Kresh smiles at her desk, with a bookshelf and cherry blossoms outside visible in the background.

Director’s Message for National Library Week


April 26, 2023


Link to Book Lists

The Library Director’s 2022 Reading List.


January 11, 2023


Read more from the Director’s blog

Footer

About Us

  • Mission & Vision
  • Center for Local History
  • News Room

Administration

  • Policies
  • Library Staff
  • Job Opportunities
  • Propose a Program

Support Your Library

  • Friends of the Library
  • Giving Opportunities
  • Donating Materials
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Our Mission

We champion the power of stories, information and ideas.

We create space for culture and connection.

We embrace inclusion and diverse points of view.

Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. YouTube. Flickr. Newsletters.

download appDownload the Library App

Arlington County | Terms & Conditions | Accessibility | Site Map
· Copyright © 2023 Arlington County Government ·