Everyone has a story.
Just like any normal library, books will be available to borrow, engage with and learn from.
Except the Books, in this instance, will be real people with a unique personal experience or perspective that they will generously share with Readers.
Living Books are real people representing a group that often face prejudice or stereotyping in society.
They can represent different minorities based on culture, religion, belief, ideology, disability, sexual orientation, gender or appearance. The Books can also represent occupations or hobbies that face prejudice.
Take this chance to connect with people you may not normally have the occasion to speak to within our community, to better understand the life experiences of others, and to challenge your own assumptions, prejudices and stereotypes.
Living Library provides a safe environment and encourages active and engaging conversations so that people can develop a greater understanding of each other’s stories.
When can I visit the Living Library?
Friday 18 May 6pm-8pm - Welcome to Hedland
Monday 21 May 10am-12pm - South Hedland Senior Highschool (open to students only)
Thursday 24 May 10:30-11:30am (during story time) - South Hedland Library
Thursday 24 May 5pm-7pm - South Hedland Library
Saturday 26 May 10am-12pm - South Hedland Library
What books are available? (watch this space for details on all available books!)
| BOOK |
WHAT'S THE STORY? |
AVAILABILITY |
| Working Mother in a Foreign land |
"When you are a foreigner, there is an unspoken rule that you must work twice as hard to be a functioning member of society. As a student, I had to work twice as hard at Uni, as a mother trying to start a business I had to work twice as hard and at the end of it all it looks on the outside like we are all the same but the reality is I had to work twice as hard just to prove I could do it." |
Monday 21 May, 10am-12pm |
| One Step at a Time with Special Needs |
"Growing up, living and working with people who have special needs, I understand the struggles, the rewards, the excitement of what they are experiencing in their everyday life. How can we as kind, caring and compassionate people, ensure inclusion, awareness and respect for every person we meet?" |
Friday 18 May, 6pm-8pm |
| I'm deaf, but that doesn't mean I can't hear you! |
I am deaf and for years said to my children "If you don't look at me - I can't hear you!" I was lip reading and didn't even know I had an issue. I wear two hearing aids and can't function without them but the technology is incredible! It's amazing what they can do with technology and it's getting smaller and smaller. I'm happy to share my story if you've got the time to listen. My favourite quote at the moment is "The Biggest communication problem is: We don't listen to understand - we listen to reply" Unknown. |
Friday 18 May, 6pm-8pm
Monday 21 May, 10-12pm
Tuesday 22 May, 10-12pm
Sturday 26 May, 10-12pm |
| Working with an accent |
Speaking English as a second language with a strong accent in a professional space isn't always easy. Having a strong accent can cause confusion or misunderstandings, sometimes are funny, but sometimes are not.
Also, sometimes society tends to type cast you to the preconceived idea of what someone from your culture should act, speak or look like. In my case due to my Latin American heritage and culture, but also due to my gender, age, accent and background I have been type casted in several occasions (such as airports and job interviews). |
Thursday 24 May 10:30-11:30 |
| Stereotyping eating disorders and why they have nothing to do with wanting to be skinny |
When I was a teenager I suffered from severe anorexia for many years and the one thing that still bothers me today is that people believe it’s just a teenage girly thing about being skinny. It’s not. For me it was an escape, a coping mechanism after having suffered traumatic events. It quickly became the one and only thing I had control over when my world suddenly seemed to fall apart. It was a call for help when no one seemed to be around; a way of slowly ‘disappearing’ while desperately hoping someone would help and stop me. |
Monday 21 May and Tuesday 22 May |
| Trained Killer |
I served for 20 years in the army as a Special Forces operator in elite Australian Army units. In that time I was accused variously of being a unthinking thug who uses excessive force to work outside international law in illegal, unjust wars against innocent people - and of being 'brainwashed' into some sort of 'cult'. My Regiments were often vilified by issue-motivated groups and ignorant members of society who took their understanding and perception of our role and tasks from Hollywood - and filled the rest with assumptions. Or did they? What does it take to be selected to serve in our elite military units? How close are our detractors out there to the reality of service in Special Forces? |
|
| Young Malay Girl |
As a young female Muslim, people struggled to understand my religion and why I wore a head scarf. Growing up there were everyday difficulties that I had to face. There were things I was unable to do such as playing certain sports, eat at certain times, wear certain clothes and eat certain foods. Some of the times I struggled to be accepted was in the workforce, especially when dealing with costumers who had strong minded opinions straight up. This was a great opportunity where I could educate people, particularly young people, about my religion and the reasons. My life motto: To be who you are and don’t be ashamed of that! |
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Would you like to become a book?
Please fill out the registration form and email it back to cdixon@porthedland.wa.gov.au or drop it of at the Town of Port Hedland Civic Centre, McGregor Street, Port Hedland.
Have you got questions?
Please contact Cara Dixon at cdixon@porthedland.wa.gov.au or at 9158 9325.
Thank you to Roy Hill for making this event possible.
