The township library, MooreUnity and the Friends of the Moorestown Library are hosting the third annual Human Library event, a chance for people who have experienced stereotypes, stigma, prejudice or discrimination to help readers learn not to “judge a book by its cover.”
The township library, MooreUnity and the Friends of the Moorestown Library will host the third annual Human Library on Sunday, April 19.
The event provides a space where people known as “readers” have 20-minute conversations with people who serve as human books.
Pitman resident Matt Kancy has played the role of a book for the last two years, after connecting with MooreUnity president Karen Reiner. The 35-year-old Kancy is on the autism spectrum, and the Human Library, for him, is a chance to share his story with people and correct autism stereotypes.
“It’s great to get some things off your chest and let people know about me, somebody who is autistic but successful,” Kancy explained. “It’s important because people need to get to know others. There’s more and more people with autism in the world who are getting diagnosed …
“We need more people to be aware of autism and show that (they) have skills as well,” he added. “They can be successful, they can be married, they can have jobs, they can own a home …
“We can do things, maybe with a little bit of help, but we can definitely lead fulfilling lives.”
Those who act as human books have experienced stereotypes, stigma, prejudice or discrimination, and through discussions, they help readers learn not to “judge a book by its cover.” The organization was created in Denmark in 2000 and is now available in more than 80 countries.
When Moorestown resident Dave Schill participated in the local Human Library event last year, his title was Vietnam veteran. He worked in construction for the military in that country in the early ’70s, and found that he and his fellow soldiers didn’t exactly get a positive reception when they returned. So Schill felt honored that people wanted to hear about his service.
“The country was torn apart with the race riots, with the protests at home, with the cops beating the protestors …” he recalled. “It (the war) was tearing the country apart, and I knew it going over. I was honored that people would want to come (to the Human Library).
“I didn’t get that when I came home, so to me, this was pretty cool.”
Schill was at first hesitant about the library experience, but said he ended up having a ball. He’s demonstrated the camouflage cover that was on his original helmet, a map and his jungle boots for the full effect on readers. He’s seen bad days, but was more than willing to answer any questions that people had.
“People are coming without judgment, and they actually want to learn and get to know you,” Kancy pointed out. “You’re going in and reading a human book and learning about somebody without judgment, and the people who come into the Human Library want to get to know who you are and maybe break down the misconceptions.”
The Human Library event will take place from from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is not required.
