The act of talking creates stories, and stories are something that can be a small conversation, recorded, or even written down. Still, the act of talking to someone sheds the spark of being vocal to another person, which is such a different vibe from anything else. As both parties are in the act of speaking, it can be truly something to comprehend, and it almost becomes a trance for some because of how intrigued or whatever the expression that the person is feeling at this time is. This brings attention to how libraries come to express themselves with stories that can be brought into their establishment. Staff and patrons are always in the act of conversing for questions to be asked and answered, but never to share stories. The act of sharing can be sacred for many people, for personal reasons or just because it is not meant for sharing. It is something we all have thought about, but for others, sharing can create a spark for something bigger.
The human library is such an interesting program that libraries have adopted. It is a program that has created an insightful approach to creating stories about strangers in the world of libraries. Reading through Public Libraries Online, Wentz talks about how human libraries work and explains to the readers that by attending, they create the action of sharing stories. As the program does, “readers are able to ask questions, seek advice, learn about alternative perspectives, and find common ground.” (Wentz, 2013)This speaks volumes because, as an individual that works in the public library, people from all walks of life come into the library to carry on about their business, and occasionally patrons would always come ask for help to find something, but that’s pretty much where it ends. I believe that pushing the human library experience in my library would create a different outcome and really start to learn about others because of our diverse users that come into the library. I used to tell my friends that when you meet new people, being able to try to find common ground for both parties is always the best way to talk, and all these things will create stories in everyone’s lives.
References
Wentz, E. (2013, April 26). The Human Library: Sharing the Community with Itself. Public Libraries Online. Retrieved March 26, 2024, from https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/human_librar/
I agree that starting on common ground really helps a relationship build. It is a tactic I use when at a large event with people I don’t know, like a conference. I can be as simple as, “I see you have a Starbucks coffee. Isn’t it great to start the day with a nice cup of coffee.” Then boom, you are sharing stories. Or, in the very least, starting to talk.
This really resonates with me too:
I used to tell my friends that when you meet new people, being able to try to find common ground for both parties is always the best way to talk, and all these things will create stories in everyone’s lives.
I would say we might find that common ground by sharing stories – or we might appreciate and value each persons difference via the stories they share.