Every person has a story, according to the Ripon Memorial Library program, “Every Person is a Book” held on Oct. 17.

Inspired by The Human Library, the Ripon Memorial Library held a special event, celebrating people’s cultures and stories of coming to America. “Small groups of program attendees will be able to “check out” a real person and hear their story of the experience they have had as an immigrant,” writes Friends of the Ripon Memorial Library on their website.

People of all ages gathered around, while cookies and snacks from different cultures were served. After a speech given by Melinda Kopp, guests were allowed to look at different tables, listening to the stories of people who moved from countries such as The Netherlands, Vietnam, and Iran to the United States.

Included in the guests were two girls addressed plainly as Lieu and Harmanjit, from Vietnam and India respectively. Both told their story, how they managed to get to America, learned the culture, and how they felt about the country. “We are really grateful to be here,” Lieu stated after her talk.

Overall, the event let others tell their stories, as many have been unable to do so. Through emigration, and everything else that the speakers went through, they still came to talk about their “book.”