UNMC to host “living library” to spotlight women’s health

The University of Nebraska Medical Center McGoogan Health Sciences Library will hold a living library event where people are “living books” who share their unique experiences and inspiring stories in a small group setting through conversation.

The “living books” are members of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine communities, as well as the medical center’s clinical partners. The “books” include women’s health experts and individuals sharing stories of their personal health care journeys.

The public can select a “living book” to meet with during an event at the Community Wellness Collaborative at the Highlander, 2120 N. 29th St. #200, on Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Among the “books” are:

  • A woman who was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer during her second pregnancy.
  • A woman who shares her story of recovery after being in the 3% of women diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, extreme morning sickness.
  • A woman who speaks about a diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder and how she’s embraced her lifestyle to have different, distinct personalities that work together as a cohesive team.

“We are excited to welcome the community to our living library event, ‘Bringing Stories of Women’s Health to the Forefront,’” said Emily Glenn, dean of the McGoogan Library. “This event centers diverse voices in storytelling and information sharing to enact McGoogan Library’s mission of connecting the past, informing the present and building the future. Expanding upon the library’s work in oral histories and exhibitions, the mini interviews from our ‘living books’ will become part of the documented history of health care experiences in Nebraska.”

Attendees, who must be 19 or older, will be able to select from the 10 living books to hear their story, ask questions and share in an informative 30-minute conversation. 

In March, oral interview recordings of the 10 books will be available for the public to view.

Register for the Feb. 8 event here.

The event is funded in part by Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.

About UNMC 

As Nebraska’s only public academic health science center, the University of Nebraska Medical Center enrolls more than 4,400 students across six colleges, two institutes and a graduate studies program. Its mission is to create a healthier future for Nebraskans through premier education, research and clinical care, but its impact — rooted in a culture of collaboration, big ideas and public-private partnerships – goes far beyond, in areas that include infectious diseases, rural health, cancer research and treatments, global health security, and simulation and experiential learning technologies.