The Living Library: Real stories. Real people. Real impact for our 8th grade students

As part of the Hampton City Schools' 8th-Grade Signature Experience, ‘Self and Community Impact and Transition,’ the Living Library provided more than 1,400 eighth-grade students with a powerful, real-world learning experience from October 7–17, 2025.

 

Hosted in collaboration with the William R. & Norma B. Harvey Library at Hampton University, students had the opportunity to “check out” a Living Book, real community members representing a wide range of careers and lived experiences. From attorneys, engineers, and nonprofit directors to civic leaders, artists, and university presidents, these partners shared personal stories, passions, and professional journeys that brought career learning to life.

 

What made this experience so impactful was its intentional design: students gathered insights directly from their assigned Living Book, which they will use as primary research for their 8th-grade Capstone Projects. These authentic interviews helped students deepen their understanding of self, community, and career, all core outcomes of the Signature Experience model.

 

This year’s Living Library continued in the spirit of collaboration with the Hampton Public Library system, where the inaugural event began. While unexpected facility issues required a venue shift, our community partnership remained strong, and Hampton University welcomed the opportunity to support student learning and civic connection.

 

Feedback from community partners, HCS staff, and students:

“This was an amazing opportunity for community partners from varied backgrounds to share their respective stories with the students. Equally, it was an amazing opportunity for the community partners to meet each other and share their stories to each other prior to and after the sessions.” - Community Partner

“One of the guests I had, I can see myself really looking up to because she helped students get through things in life they were dealing with. She was there for them when they probably didn't have anybody else. I want to be like that for people.” - HCS Student

 

Special thanks to Hampton University and the city of Hampton, especially the departments below, for making this event successful. 

• Hampton Public Library
• Hampton University William R. & Norma B. Harvey Library
• Hampton University Police Department