Chester Library offers true personal touch with its ‘Human Library’

O'Meara, Chansamone

Schenk, P. (2015). Chester Library offers true personal touch with its ‘Human Library.’ New Haven Register News. Retrieved October 4, 2015, from http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20151003/chester-library-offers-true-personal-touch-with-its-human-library

Summary
The Chester Library in Connecticut is offering a library service with a truly human touch. Modeling it's program after the nonprofit Human Library Organization of Denmark which was established in 2000, Chester Library in addition to checking out books will allow patrons to check out people. The people available for check out can provide information on a variety of subjects. It's the first of it's kind in the state. According to librarian, Linda Fox, “anyone with a library card and curiosity can check out a human book for half an hour at the library. Sessions are held here at the library.” The library has a catalog of the "human books" such as “Karen Bradley-Wheat Free/Gluten Free Eating” to “Dave Zirlen-Fantasy Sports” to “Donna Barnes-The Buzz in Chester". The concept of human libraries has spread across the world in over 50 countries and several in the United States. It is really connecting people with other people. It enables people to look and ask for help without judgement on a subject they are interested in. It an also help establish relationship and trust with people. And finally the human library addresses people's needs and interest. This human library can help expand people's education, skill sets, and knowledge by connecting people with other people.

Evaluation
I've never head of this before and I think it is genius! This is a great way for those that have knowledge and expertise in a subject area to freely share it with others for a short amount of time. It can be the start of starting a new hobby or learning about something new. It can also be expanded for other serious issues the news article mentioned such as "dealing with social, medical and other issues such a homelessness, HIV, homosexuality, and more."