WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Everyone has a story to tell, and if we listen closely, we will discover we’re more alike than we are different.
That is the message behind The Human Library, a unique program hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
The Oct. 19 event at the Garnett Library brought together faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members and encouraged them to “check out” a person to hear his or her life story, according to Dean of Student Services Dr. Angela Totty.
“We had alumni, retirees, university faculty, staff and students, three employees from Ozarks Healthcare, and two high school exchange students who participated as our ‘resources,’” Totty said. “There were 21 stories told and a total of 60 people participated in the event.”
Story genres included Adventures (stories of a person’s travels); Mysteries (stories about a life-changing choice or circumstance); Current Events (stories about life events in the past three to five years); Children’s Stories (stories of a person’s childhood); and Romance (stories about relationships).
“We also had Classics, great stories about West Plains told by Dr. Marvin Fowler, a long-time physician in this community,” Totty said. “The students listened to him with rapt attention!
The Human Library concept is a great way to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes by hearing the life story of someone who has had different life experiences, Totty said. It also creates the opportunity to connect with shared experiences.
“The stories told represented challenging life circumstances, such as relocating to another country, being diagnosed with a disability, and how one experience in a person’s life can alter everything, even relationships,” she explained. “At some level, we can all relate or empathize with these types of stories.”
Totty said she plans to organize another Human Library event during the spring semester. Anyone with an interesting story to tell is welcome to participate as a resource, or they may come to “check out” a resource and listen to the story.
For more information about the Human Library and the spring event, contact Totty at 417-255-7255 or AngelaTotty@MissouriState.edu.
