Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington is hosting the Human Library® Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Shreve Hall. The Human Library, a free event, creates a safe space where topics are discussed openly between human books and readers.

Human books are volunteers with personal experience with their topic. Difficult questions are expected, appreciated, and answered.

"The Human Library is a comfortable way to learn about topics that might be new to us. It fosters honest communication that respects individual experiences,” Christine Brandel, professor of English and event coordinator said. “The interactions increase our sense of empathy and acceptance, while reminding us of what we all share, the resilience of the human spirit."

Participants can have short conversations that offer a range of experiences, including ethnicity, age, background, sexual orientation, disability, health, beliefs, lifestyle choices and others.

Human book titles at the event include:

  • Polyamory
  • Ten Years Sober
  • Jewish American
  • Dyslexia and Dyscalculia
  • Carer for a Spouse with Dementia
  • Naturalized Citizen
  • Life with a Disability
  • Black in Bloomington
  • Neurodiversity
  • Transgender Woman
  • Parents of Foster and Adopted Children
  • Amputee
  • Person Living with HIV
  • OCD

Ivy Tech Bloomington is located at 200 Daniels Way on the west side of Bloomington. For more information about the Human Library®, contact Christine Brandel, professor of English, at mcwall10@ivytech.edu.

About Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.