Human Library event canceled after U.S. operations cease; staff cite grant loss and capacity limits

City staff reported that the international nonprofit that runs Human Library events ceased operating in the United States after a federally funded liaison grant was pulled. That decision leaves the city unable to run the event with the organization’s usual liaison network and trained volunteers.

“We explored options for running the event ourselves, but the Human Library has a long contact list and established relationships with people who’ve been trained and often volunteer to do these types of events, which can be intense,” the principal management analyst said. Staff concluded they do not currently have capacity to take on the liaison role required to reproduce the event locally and will note the project as closed on the work plan, while leaving open the possibility of revisiting it in the future if circumstances change.

Committee members expressed disappointment and suggested the subject could return to the work plan or be reconsidered when capacity allows.