Are you interested in volunteering as a Living Book at our Living Library event?
We would love to have you join!
At the Living Library event, students have the chance to “borrow a Living Book”. As a Living Book, you would sit and talk one-on-one with someone else for a short 10-15 minute conversation. During the conversation, they will ask questions about you home country, region, and/or culture.
What happens when you are a Living Book?
- Participants at the event will come and sit at your table. Your home country or region will be shown at the table.
- Participants will have 10-15 minutes to have a conversation with you about your home country, region, and/or culture.
- You will introduce yourself and share some introduction information about your home country or region (for example, what is your hometown, what is your hometown known for in your country, etc.).
- There will be conversation starter questions at the table if your participant does not know what to ask.
As a Living Book, you can volunteer for a 1 hour, 2 hour, or 3 hour commitment - it is your decision.
Unfortunately, due to such interest in the Living Library, we cannot accept all individuals who apply. We apologize in advance but thank you sincerely for your interest!
As a Living Book volunteer, you will be asked to attend a 45-minute training session to help you prepare as a volunteer during the event.
Want to apply to be a volunteer?
Agreement for participating in the Living Library include:
- Respect for Living Books: We want to ensure that all Living Books are treated with the utmost courtesy and respect during the event. We encourage participants to ask questions they may find scary, embarrassing, and intimidating. However, it is imperative that they respect your boundaries. As a Living Book, you have the right to not answer any questions that make you feel uncomfortable. You reserve the right to end any conversation at your discretion.
- Duration of loans: As a Living Book, you have a maximum of 15 minutes with each participant. You or the participant are welcome to end the conversation earlier.
- What are we supposed to do together?: Living Books are encouraged to begin the conversation by sharing a little bit about yourself to the participant. Prompt questions will be provided for participants if they are unsure how to begin the conversation. You will approve these questions in advance to ensure you feel comfortable with the questions.
- Referrals: At your station at the event, resources will be provided. Resources will include community pamphlets and referral information and also campus service referral information (i.e. Counselling Services, etc.). If a participant appears to be distressed during the event (i.e. shares personal information, is upset/emotional over information you may share), we encourage you to access these resources at your table to refer students. If a participant appears to be distressed, you are also encouraged to solicit the support of the event coordinator (Ryan Connell) for assistance.
- Personal Support: As a Living Book, we want you to feel safe at all times. If at any time during the event you feel you need support, assistance or require a break, there is a private break room that all Living Books are welcomed to use. If you require the assistance of a Counsellor during the event, we will do our best to make these resources available.
- Confidentiality: We request that any information that is shared by event participants remains private and confidential (i.e. a disclosure of a disability, mental health issue, etc.), with the exception of sharing any pertinent information with the event coordinators (i.e. a person who may cause harm to themselves or others).
Do you have questions before you register?
Speak with Ryan Connell (Assistant Director, Student Experience & Housing) at ryan.connell@uwaterloo.ca or by visiting the Renison Ministry Centre (Room 1108, Renison). He will be happy to assist!