The Human Library: Opening Books, Opening Hearts

This past Saturday, Community Happens Here partnered with the Cincinnati Public Library to host The Human Library at the Clifton Branch Library—and what a beautiful afternoon it was.

The Gift of Meeting People

One of the reasons we love hosting The Human Library is because it gives neighbors a chance to meet so many different kinds of people.

We get to experience this in our work at Community Happens Here. Because we're on the sidewalks of Pleasant Ridge so often, we encounter all sorts of folks — each carrying their own beautiful story, with highlights and hurts, hopes and heartaches. They’ve each learned lessons along the way, and have grown from the adversity they’ve encountered.

Simply put: We find ourselves able to celebrate the breadth and beauty of humanity because of all the people we meet through our jobs.

We know not everyone can join our staff - though anyone can volunteer with us at any time. But through events like The Human Library, we can bring that empathy-building experience to everyone in our community.

The Human Library creates space for neighbors to meet people they might not otherwise encounter. It's a chance to sit down with someone whose experiences differ from your own. To ask questions you've always wondered. To hear stories that challenge assumptions and expand your understanding.

Real people. Real stories. Real connection.

The Human Library gives our community the chance to grow through intentional conversations. In a world that often feels divided, we need more opportunities like this — moments when we can encounter the fullness of humanity in one another. Where we move beyond headlines and hear actual human voices. That's why we're committed to this initiative in our city. Because community doesn't just happen. It happens when we create spaces where people can truly see each other, listen deeply, and celebrate the diversity of lives being lived all around us.

Because every person you meet is a book worth reading.