Library program encourages residents to share life stories

The Georgetown Public Library is moving beyond traditional books to host a "human library" May 14–16.

Titled Bibliovita, a name that refers to living books, the activity is part of Georgetown Reads!, the library's adult reading program. Bibliovita will allow Georgetown residents to schedule 20-minute interviews with members of the community to ask the "human books" questions about aspects of their lives.

The activity is held in conjunction with the featured selection for Georgetown Reads!, "Listening is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project," a collection of oral histories edited by Dave Isay.

Founded in 2003, StoryCorps is a nonprofit organization that started in New York with the purpose to provide Americans with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of their lives, according to the organization's website. Since that time, the group has recorded more than 40,000 interviews of Americans of varying backgrounds and beliefs, which are archived at the Library of Congress.

Public Services Librarian Sheri Miklaski said the Bibliovita program is meant to enable Georgetown residents to share their life experiences with others who are interested.

Miklaski said she went to a "human library" at an American Library Association conference in 2011 where she talked with several different "books."

"It was actually a really wonderful conversation, everyone was open and willing to answer any questions," she said.

Attendees can come to the library during the designated times and speak to one of the available "human books," which includes a funeral director, a war veteran, a Rabbi, a Muslim and a survivor of a life-altering accident. About 24 people are participating in the program, Miklaski said.

Georgetown resident BettyJo Patterson signed up to participate in Bibliovita, and she can speak about topics including single parents, abuse, dealing with children, singleness and interracial issues.

Patterson said she hopes to share some life experiences and wisdom through the informal format of Bibliovita.

"Sometimes we've got to get out of the box to understand," she said.

The library also plans to do its own smaller version of the StoryCorps project. Through May 23, Georgetown residents can bring in a loved one and have him or her record parts of his or her life story. They will be provided with a free CD of the recording. Miklaski said the library will put some of the recordings on the city's website.

"We've got a lot of interesting people in Georgetown with a lot of interesting life stories," she said.

Georgetown Reads! activities:

Bibliovita times:

• May 14, 6–8 p.m.
• May 15, 2–4 p.m.
• May 16, 10 a.m.–noon

Georgetown StoryCorps:

Participants may come in May 11–23 for an interview at the library. The interview will be recorded on a CD and will also go on the City of Georgetown's website. Preregistration is required.

Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St., 930-3551, www.georgetownreads.georgetown.org