Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Waterford New Communities Network (WNCN) has launched a Human Library pilot—an innovative community initiative where people “borrow” a person, not a book, for a short, honest conversation. The project opened earlier this month with Irish volunteers serving as “books,” and continued last night with five migrant “books,” creating space for dialogue across experiences, identities, and life journeys. The idea is simple and powerful: readers choose a living “book” by title—often a role, identity, or life experience—and then sit down for a timed conversation in a calm, respectful setting. Ground rules emphasise confidentiality, consent and kindness, so both book and reader can ask and answer genuine questions in a safe environment. In Human Library terms, it invites participants to “unjudge someone”—to pause first impressions, listen with curiosity, and replace assumptions with understanding.
Early titles in Waterford
- My hidden disability — ADHD
- Working as an Aid Worker in Afghanistan
- Irish Librarian
- Psychotherapist from Brazil
- Healing Others while Finding My Place to Be
- My Life as a Gaeilgeoir
- Beyond a Law Degree
- My Love of Set Dancing
- Living With Autism: The Challenges I Face
Together, these “shelves” offer readers a rare chance to encounter everyday realities they might never otherwise meet — from navigating neurodiversity to frontline humanitarian work, public service, language and culture, and cross-cultural mental health practice.
Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Readers and books alike described the sessions as “interesting, informative and insightful,” noting that the format made it easier to ask questions people often carry but rarely voice. Books appreciated being seen as full, complex people—not reduced to a label—while readers valued the chance to listen, learn and leave with a more nuanced understanding of someone else’s life.
Why this matters to WNCN
The Human Library resonates strongly with WNCN’s mission to foster inclusion, amplify migrant voices and build connections across communities. At WNCN, we support integration as a two-way process—host communities and newcomers learning, adapting and participating together—and this project aligns perfectly with that vision. As a volunteer-powered, grassroots network, WNCN supports both Irish residents and people from migrant backgrounds to share their experiences, access opportunities and participate fully in local life. The Human Library brings that mission to life—creating a structured, safe space where respectful curiosity can flourish and where common ground becomes visible, one conversation at a time.
Inspired by a global movement
This local pilot is inspired by the original Human Library concept developed by the Human Library Organization, a global initiative that began in Denmark and is now active worldwide. Learn more at humanlibrary.org.
About the Human Library
“The Human Library® is, in the true sense of the word, a library of people. We host events where readers can borrow human beings serving as open books and have conversations they would not normally have access to. Every human book from our bookshelf represents a group in our society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin etc.”
Next stop: A Slice of Culture
The Human Library will pop up for a special one-hour session at Waterford’s multicultural festival, A Slice of Culture, on Saturday, 6 September 2025, at Wyse Park. Festivalgoers will be able to “borrow” a book, ask honest questions and discover the story behind a title—no prior booking required for the pop-up session.
Get involved
Our aim is to build a living library of local people—Irish and migrant—who are willing to share their stories in a safe and respectful environment. If you’re interested in becoming a “book,” or if your organisation would like to host a future Human Library event, please email contact@waterfordncn.ie.
About the format
Each event is supported by volunteer librarians who welcome participants, explain the ground rules and help readers choose a book. Sessions are small by design to keep conversations comfortable and focused. No audio or video recording is permitted, and both books and readers can end a conversation at any time—an important part of safeguarding everyone’s dignity and wellbeing.
WNCN’s Human Library pilot is about building a culture of listening in Waterford—one conversation at a time. As the catalogue of titles grows, organisers look forward to welcoming more readers, more stories and more moments of understanding across our diverse community.
by Csilla Czelvikker
