The Dover Public Library hosted their first “Living Library” in November of 2019. Approximately 60 people were able to hold conversations with one of the 14 “living books” available that day. According to Sherrel Rieger, Adult Program Specialist, “It was so successful that we planned to make it an annual event, but the pandemic changed that for the year 2020. We are happy to announce that the “Living Library” will return this year on November 13.”
The Living Library program has been enjoyed for nearly two decades in 84 countries around the world. It is designed to bring the community together through dialogue with people who are different from ourselves. The goal is to challenge prejudices and to help people understand racial and cultural issues, to be inspired by everyday heroes, and to learn more about ourselves through our connection with other people.
How does the “Living Library” work? The “books” (who are real people) will be seated around the library. You come to the library and see which “books” are available. After you “check out” one of “books,” you sit with that person and engage in an honest conversation with him/her for approximately 15 minutes. Then, you can check out another book. You can check out as many books as time and availability allow.
This year’s card catalog includes:
Greta Baker, retired teacher/librarian and fashionista, Just Me!
Gamaliel Bautista, “Dreamer”, Our Dream
Victoria Buss, CEO of Clear Communications, Living the American Dream
Pat Crolley, artist, The Memory Painter
Fred Delphia, retired band director and principal, It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got that Swing)
Perci Garner, Executive Director of The Rainbow Connection, Dreams and Wishes are Not the Same
Larry Glasgow, Desert Storm veteran, Soldier Survives SCUD Missile Attack
Glen Groh, retired principal and naturalist, It’s Me – GGG!
Linda Kate, former judge, From Juvenile Court to the Deserts of Iraq
Kathy Neal, director of a local women’s shelter, Beneath the Shade
Kathy Neal and Company, Temptation.
You can register ahead of time by calling the library at 330-343-6123. Walk-ins are welcome on the day of the event, which is Saturday, November 13 from 10 AM till noon in the Community Room at the library located at 525 N. Walnut Street.