McMaster students took part in lively conversations about university and community at the Human Library event held recently in the Learning Commons of Mills Library.
The event, hosted by McMaster University Library as part of McMaster’s Common Reading Program, featured a number of ‘living books” who spoke to students about their own diverse experiences and who invited open conversations with students on a range of topics.
The event featured a talk and book signing from this year’s Common Reading Program author, Zoe Whittall, author of The Best Kind of People and was also an opportunity for students to learn more about the services and resources available through McMaster’s libraries.
This year’s living books included:
Dr. Patrick Deane
The seventh President and Vice-Chancellor of McMaster University, a position he has held since 2010. As President, Dr. Deane’s priorities include promotion of and increased support for research, strengthening connections between the University and the local and global communities we serve, and ensuring a distinctive, personalized, and engaging experience for McMaster’s students.
Chukky Ibe
A poet, playwright, politico, and literature nerd. He was born in Lagos-Nigeria and has built his home in Hamilton. He has authored three collections of poetry and four plays. Chukky spends most of his time teaching poetry in schools and community centres in Hamilton. He is also McMaster’s MSU president.
Cole Gately
A trans person living in Hamilton Ontario who teaches part-time at McMaster University in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program. Cole is a liminal being who occupies that space between genders, races, classes and sexuality.
Dr. Gary and Joy Warner
An interracial couple committed to peace, human rights, social, and environmental justice, and spirituality. Joy was national Chair of Voice of Women for Peace, is a part-time Raging Granny, and the Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Coordinator for the Spiritan Congregation in Canada. Gary has worked in international and local community development, including as CUSO Country Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Director of McMaster International, and Board Chair, HCF.
Liam and Lily at Mac
Liam and Lily are Library Dogs! Liam heads the team of canines that regularly visit the McMaster University Libraries. Liam is a fully certified therapy dog. He is on-campus every other week to give students a healthy break from studying, and to provide students a connection to the pets they have left behind at home. Lily is a fully trained therapy dog who works with her human, who just happens to be one of the Social Sciences Academic Advisors.
To learn more about The Common Reading Program and for a full list of “living books,” visit the Student Success Centre’s website.
Common Reading Program partners include: Office of Alumni Advancement, Arts & Science Program, School of Graduate Studies, McMaster University Library, Office of the President, Faculty of Humanities, Equity and Inclusion Office and Residence Life Office (Housing and Conference Services) and the Student Success Centre.
