Joe Gutierrez Office of Strategic Communication (909) 537-5007 joeg@csusb.edu
The Human Library, created to challenge societal stereotypes and prejudices through positive dialogue, will be at Cal State San Bernardino’s John M. Pfau Library, room PL-5005, through Thursday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Similar to how a traditional library works, the Human Library, instead of books, features people who can be “checked out as books” and engage in conversations and share stories with the public. The interactive exhibit was brought to campus thanks to the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration Center for Global Management and the CSUSB Global Leadership and Culture Club.
The Human Library is an international organization and global movement founded in Copenhagen in 2000 as an anti-violence project for the Roskilde Festival, northern Europe’s largest summer festival. The Human Library Organization is currently active in over 60 countries. This is the first time held at CSUSB and organized by CGM student leaders.
“I wanted to bring something to campus, where people could share their stories with students, faculty, staff and the local community – something that creates impact and fosters leadership and collaborative global citizenship,” says Daniel Perez, a current MBA student and graduate assistant for CGM who spearheaded the CSUSB Human Library.
The Human Library exhibit has more than a dozen titles on a variety of topics including international student experience, extreme body art, mental illness and sexual assault will be featured. All “books” are prepared to answer difficult questions and have meaningful, respectful conversations to help all involved grow and increase global perspectives.
Sample book and chapters include:
TALES OF SURVIVAL
Have you ever wanted to ask what it's like to be in jail? How about battling a near-death experience? Medical emergencies? Maybe you've know someone who has battled major depression or thoughts of suicide? Learn how one man has seemingly gone through it all and survived to earn three degrees as an older adult and lived to tell the tale -- and say it's OKAY to talk about it!
Chapter One: Mad: Dreams dashed.
Chapter Two: Sad: Going uphill.
Chapter Three: Happy: Hard work, success.
Chapter Four: Empathetic: It's okay to talk about it!
Visit the Human Library website at for more information.
The Brown College Center for Global Management aims to advance global engagement, opportunities and partnerships to build successful leaders and collaborative global citizens. Learn more about events and programs at the Center for Global Management website.
For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit inside.csusb.edu.
