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Living Library at William & Mary Libraries

Find common ground through dialogue at the W&M Living Library, 3-7pm on March 22, 2024.

The Living Library builds a positive and safe space for conversations that challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue. W&M Libraries is committed to diversity, inclusion, and free inquiry and, in providing a space where these conversations takes place, affirm participants’ rights to safety and dignity.

Ground Rules for the Living Library

In order to build an environment that encourages open discussion, the Living Library has the following ground rules for participant behavior. Please note that these ground rules are subject to edits prior to the event.  

  • Storytellers are to be treated with dignity, respect, care, and courtesy at all times.
  • Listeners must be respectful in their questions and conversation with Storytellers. This means asking questions in good faith, rather than passing judgment, avoiding monopolizing the Storyteller's story and conversation, and remembering that the attendee's role is to listen rather than share their own story.
  • Avoid inappropriate verbal language or physical gestures during the Living Library event. 
  • No threatening or intimidating behavior towards others, whether physical, verbal or psychological, will be tolerated. 
  • Do not recruit, evangelize, or proselytize your views, beliefs, or politics with a view to conversion during the Living Library event. Discussion and dialogue, yes; Recruitment, no. 
  • Do not express or act on the very prejudices and stereotypes that the Living Library seeks to dispel - e.g., homophobia, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, sexism, transphobia, ageism, ableism etc. 
  • Exchanging of contact information is at the behest of the Storyteller. 
  • Storytellers can end the conversation if they feel that the Reader is treating them in an inappropriate or disrespectful manner. At any point throughout the day participants (Storytellers or listeners) may report any concerns or issues to event organizers at event check-in.
  • Please do not take photos of or with Storytellers unless given express permission. Photos of the Living Library event may be taken by library staff for publicity purposes. If you would like to opt out of your photo being taken, please notify the event organizers.