Ask anyone what it is like to produce a movie, receive the Order of Canada, set up a brewery, or become mayor and most will give blank stares. But with the return of the Human Library, answers can be found.
Powell River Public Library facilitated the event last year. Due to its success, it has returned for two more days, 1:30 to 4:30 pm on both Saturday, October 4, and Saturday, October 11, at Powell River Community Resource Centre on Joyce Avenue.
Pat Karis attended last year’s Human Library. “It is one thing to read an autobiography,” she said. “The chance to talk to the people in person is great. Everyone I talked to was enthusiastic and I got the feeling that they were happy to do what they were doing. There is a wealth of information that is relatively untapped and that is what makes life interesting.”
Mark Merlino works at the public library and is organizer of this year’s Human Library. “It’s been a real pleasure to learn about the fascinating lives of our neighbours,” he said. “‘Bushman’ Brian lived through a blizzard on top of a mountain and surgeon Shiu Bong helped the survivors of a major earthquake. Their stories are really as captivating as anything you read in a book or watch on TV.” Other “human books” this year come with their own passions for such varied fields as edible gardening, traditional Sliammon cedar basket weaving and tie-dying.
Merlino described the Human Library as “a celebration of the richness of our community and an opportunity to build connections.”
Karis echoed this. “Everybody has a story to tell.”
More information about the Human Library, including the complete booklist, is available at the public library or online powellriverlibrary.ca. For anyone unable to decide which book to reserve, don’t worry. Just drop in during the Human Library hours and be set up with a “fascinating read.”
The Human Library is produced with help from the Community Resource Centre and Powell River Immigrant Services.
