CBC partners with 22 public libraries and 2 other centres in 15 Canadian cities to host specialHuman Library events on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013
When’s the last time you interacted with someone from a completely different walk of life? Or had a frank conversation with someone whose life experience is far from your own? This Jan. 26, in 15 cities and in 24 locations across the country, Canadians are invited to engage volunteers from various backgrounds and occupations on National Human Library Day, in partnership with CBC.
National Human Library Dayis a one-day event (with Winnipeg hosting a three-day event) hosted by local libraries and media and cultural centres across the country, in an effort to help dispel myths and stereotypes by creating an opportunity for one-on-one conversations between people who may never have met otherwise. People from various walks of life, including CBC personalities, will volunteer their time as “books.” Members of the public will have a chance to “check out” a “book” and ask questions to learn about the person and their extraordinary life.
“National Human Library Day is about breaking down barriers. It is about having conversations that broaden our understanding of people and our communities, and our country,” said Jennifer McGuire, general manager and editor-in-chief, CBC News and Centres. “As the public broadcaster, CBC is the perfect home for those conversations, regardless of where you live in the country.”
Complementing the events online, cbc.ca/humanlibrarylaunches on Jan. 4 and will feature registration information, allow Canadians to check out the Human Library’s interactive map, and sample feature “books” from across the country. Canadians are also encouraged to engage in conversations on Twitter by using the hashtag #CBCHumanLibrary. As well, a live digital event on National Human Library Day will extend the conversation.
The Human Library was created by a group of young people in Copenhagen to fight against prejudice. They organized the first Human Library at a festival in 2000. Since then, there have been Human Libraries in 27 countries. CBC is the first broadcaster to be involved as a national media partner.
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About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus five languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.
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