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Living Library: Walking, Talking Books

Everyone has a Story!

The students, staff and faculty at the University of Michigan - Dearborn reflect exciting diversity in backgrounds, life experiences, human perspectives, and passions. Each individual has a unique story to tell. The purpose of the Living Library is to foster personal connections across campus as we promote and celebrate our diversity.

When: Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Berkowitz Gallery, 3rd floor, Mardigian Library
Sponsors: Mardigian Library and Student Government


2019 Living Bookshelf

As a Living Reader, simply peruse our list of Living Books, make a selection, and enjoy a unique conversation with a UM-Dearborn student, staff or faculty member. No need to pre-register, just drop by! Light refreshments provided.

List of book titles coming soon!

  • Accidental Kisses: My Immigrant Experience, by Ghassan Abou-Zeineddine
  • Making a Difference: My Volunteer Work with the Food Pantry, by Sara Alqaragholy
  • Gender Matters: Bringing Women into STEM, by Marilee Benore
  • Back to the Future: Returning to College to Finish What I Started 18 Years Earlier, by Barbara Bolek
  • Detroit 1967: a 10-Year-Old White Girl's Experience with the 1967 Detroit Rebellion, Racism, Intolerance, and School Integration, by Barbara Bolek
  • The Grief Sherpa: Cultivating Resilience in the Face of Losing (Almost) Everything, by Laura Garling
  • 10 Years Spent in Prison: a Life of Crime, Jail, Prison, and Public Policy, by Aaron Kinzel
  • One Germany? Attending College in Germany after the Fall of the Berlin Wall, by Julia Daniel-Walkuski
  • Becoming a Star Employee: Tips from a 30-Year+ Supervisor, by Barbara Kriigel
  • My Journey as a First Generation Student, by Molly Manley
  • Living Abroad in France: Culture Shock and a New Cultural Identity, by Jeri Mannion
  • An Engineer, a User Experience Designer, and a Librarian: How I Finally Found My Passion, by Elaine Meyer
  • Fading and Growing: Living Life With a Physical Disability, by Sarah Nassar
  • Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla—Neither Here Nor There: the Experiences of a First Generation Mexican-American, by Saulo Ortiz
  • The Sport of Curling, by Joel Seewald
  • Two Summers in South Korea: No, I Wasn't Scared of a Missile!, by Aubree Stamper

Talent Gateway Challenges

CHALLENGE: I am a Living Book (1,000 points)

    Apply to be a Living Book and share your story in short conversations with others at the Mardigian Library's Living Library event.

    After you have participated in this event, reflect on the questions below:

    • You likely had to step outside your comfort zone for this challenge - what was the most disconcerting part of participating in this event?
    • Why do you think the participant chose you to talk with?
    • What experiences, perspectives, or opinions did you feel you had in common with the people who heard your story?
    • What stereotypes, misconceptions, or prejudices were addressed?
    • How can sharing your story impact your academic, professional or personal goals?

CHALLENGE: Conversing Across the Living Library (750 points)

    Drop by the Mardigian Library's Living Library event and as a Living Reader, browse the collection, select a Living Book to connect with, and enjoy a 15-minute conversation that you never would have had anywhere else. Ask questions, explore differences, breakdown stereotypes and misconceptions, learn, and share.

    After participating in the event, reflect on these questions:

    • What experiences, perspectives, or opinions did you feel you had in common?
    • What surprises or revelations were brought forth?
    • What did you learn?
    • What was your takeaway thought as the conversation ended?
    • How can learning about others as individuals impact your personal, academic or professional success?

Did you know?

  • Newspaper Subscriptions

  • Currently enrolled students and currently employed faculty and staff are eligible for a free digital subscription to the New York Times (NYT) (some limitations apply) and Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

  • Access requires creation of accounts for each site. Full details and setup instructions are available on the New York Times and Wall Street Journal setup pages.

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