Human library: Tales from the past - First Nations Australians

"Aboriginal flag mural, Eveleigh Street Redfern, circa 2003" by Patricia Baillie, collection owned and licensed by City of Sydney Archives is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

As part of NAIDOC Week, Azure beach library will be hosting a human library event, featuring several Indigenous elders from the local area who will be sharing their stories and history. This event aims to create an environment for open discussion and dialogue; as storytelling is an integral part of Indigenous culture. Attendees will gain a further understanding of the history of Australia and Indigenous culture, and participants will feel seen, heard, and understood; having been  able to share both their past traumas and their pride in this setting. 

Australia has a complicated history with its Indigenous population, the rightful owners of this land. Many Australians are aware of the history of the land, but not the ongoing and profound impact it has had on First Nations Australians. 

By providing the space and opportunity to ask questions and share stories, we can help to strengthen bonds and connections within our community, provide a deeper understanding of Indigenous history and culture; and figure out how to better help the traditional custodians of this land.

What is a human library?

A human library is an opportunity for learning and growth; where members of the community can volunteer to become "books"; sharing their life stories by being "borrowed" for a conversation by attendees, creating an environment of open discussion that encourages diversity and learning, and aims to remove stigma and prejudice.

Event details

When: 12th of July, 2025

Where: Azure Beach Public Library courtyard

Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Price: Free

Note: To register for this event, you must be a library member. Click here to go to our website and sign up now! Registration is completely free, and gives you access to a world of opportunities!

Questions and enquiries

More information on human libraries can be found here

More information on NAIDOC Week can be found here

For further information, contact the library on (02) 9123 4567 or at library.contactus@azurebeach.gov.au

Post by Erika Hutchings

Reconciling with Oneself – Self-loathing and the Stolen Generations: A Human Library Event

 

Image credit: Michael Loke https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

The Stolen Generations

Did you know that over one-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are descended from members of the Stolen Generations? Many of those survivors who were brought up in public institutions or fostered into white households have been left with deep scars which are often passed onto their kids.

The complex challenges faced by the Indigenous community today are a direct result of this dispossession. Things have been taken – family, land, language, culture, identity – and in the case of the Stolen Generations sometimes they lost their self-respect. Growing up being taught to be ashamed of their aboriginality often led to feelings of inferiority that have significantly impacted their wellbeing and relationships in later life.

Towards Reconciliation

Reconnecting to what was lost remains an ongoing challenge of the Reconciliation Movement. Azure Beach Public library, in partnership with the Human Library organisation, is hosting our first Human Library event; which hopes to get to grips with these identity issues and talk about the importance of reclaiming culture as Australia moves torwards Reconciliation.

Image Credit: DrRandomFactor https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_map_of_Australia_%28Aboriginal_Australian_Flag%29.png

What is a Human Library?

Attendees will have the opportunity to borrow one of eight human ‘books’ who were members of the Stolen Generations or their descendants and ask questions about their experiences in an informal conversation about how they have ‘reconciled’ with their own identity. This event, held during NSW Aboriginal Languages Week, will encourage reconnection with culture and language and truth-telling to combat the lingering effects of dispossession.

For more on NSW Aboriginal Language Week visit the Aboriginal Languages Trust website:

https://www.alt.nsw.gov.au/

Event Details

Date: Saturday 26^th October

Time: 1:00pm-3:30pm

Location: Azure Beach Public Library, registration desk in lobby

Cost: FREE. Limited tickets available

Booking information: Register now at the Azure beach Public Library Events webpage.

If you require further information about this event, please visit the ABPL website or contact us at;

Email: events@azurebeach.gov.au

Phone: (02) 12345678

Contact person: Rhys Wilson

#HumanLibrary #Community #Reconciliation #StolenGenerations #TruthTelling #AzureBeachPublicLibrary #AboriginalLanguagesWeek

By R. Wilson

Enriching Life With the Knowledge of Us | Human Library Event for Social Inclusion Week

https://api.hub.jhu.edu/factory/sites/default/files/styles/landscape/public/HR_HumanLibrary_Rob_057-900x600.jpg

Social Inclusion Week (19-27 November 2022) celebrates all people regardless of their race, age and/or abilities. Azure Beach Library will be hosting a Human Library Event to celebrate our diverse community.

This event gives you a chance to connect to people you may not normally have the chance to speak to in daily life in an exciting way. Guests are invited to have a conversation with Human Books from all walks of life who are part of the Azure Beach community. A Human Library consists of “books” that are human.

Some Human Book Titles Include:

·  An Indigenous Person in Modern Australia

·  Living with a Hidden Disability

·  Escaping War: A New Life in Australia

·  Being a First Generation Australian

·  Daily Life with Autism

·  My Religion Doesn’t Make Me Less Australian

Attendees are encouraged to register online and select a maximum of 2 human libraries (20 minutes per Book). Books who have extra time slots will be made available at the reception desk so walk-ins are welcome however your preferred Human Book may be booked out. Please note this is an 18+ event.

Register Now

🏛  Azure Beach Library Courtyard

📅 Saturday, 19 November 2022 

🕚 11:00am to 3:00pm

📧 bmai@azurebeachlibrary.com.au

☎ 02 9876 5432

🌏 www.socialinclusionweek.com.au

🌏 www.humanlibrary.org

 

Accessibility

Close to public transport

Full mobility access - elevators available

Toilets, including ambulant/disabled in the library

Auslan interpreter available between 11:00am - 1:00pm (will be advised during booking process)

 

By B. Mai