'Human Library' does what Google can't for people with questions about adoption
CBC News | Posted: November 5, 2017 2:00 PM | Last Updated: November 6, 2017
2nd annual Human Library held in Saskatoon Sunday
People with questions about adopting a child had an opportunity to find some answers at a human library in Saskatoon on Sunday.
The second annual event held by the Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan made eight human "books" available for 15-minute conversations with members of the public at the Rusty McDonald Library.
Adoptive parents, people who have an open adoption where children know their birth parents and birth mothers who chose to make adoption plans were among the "books" available to impart their knowledge.
Some answers can't be found online
Leah Deans, the resource director for the Adoption Support Centre of Saskatchewan, said the human library is designed to educate the public, dispel myths and change stereotypes.
She believes there is no better information than what can be learned by speaking to people with lived experience.
"We can Google just about anything, we can search anything and we can get quick answers," she said.
"But not always are they thorough, not always are they really depicting a wide variety of things to consider and things to know and be aware of."
Learning from experience
Shawna Jardine was on the shelf this year as an adoptive parent and adoptee.
Growing up, Jardine knew she was adopted, but it was never an issue.
"Whenever I associated the word 'adopted,' I thought it was something really special," said Jardine.
She said a common misconception is that most children don't know they're adopted.
"It wasn't a matter of the kind of thing that you maybe see in movies where, you know, suddenly at 10-years-old you're sat down by your parents and told this big secret," she said.
'What's your story?'
Jardine agreed with Deans that speaking to someone with lived experience could provide insight that isn't available through research.
She said the first thing most people want to know is the story of her own experience.
"From there they ask more specific questions or for details and sometimes they do come with really specific 'what if?' questions," said Jardine.
Jardine said every person's situation is different but she is able to provide guidance by sharing her own story.