In a world where screens often dominate our attention, Oak Knoll freshman Ellis Sobers ’29 is on a mission to bring people back to the power of real, face-to-face connection. As part of her pursuit of the Girl Scouts’ Silver Award, Sobers launched a Living Library at the Chatham Library — a project designed to help people hit pause on the digital noise and truly connect with one another.

The idea? Inspired by a Danish initiative, the Living Library invites community members to “check out” people instead of books — sitting down for open, honest conversations that broaden perspectives and encourage empathy.

“I noticed that every time I would go to my local library, kids and young adults would be on their phones or laptops more than they would be talking to each other,” Sobers said. “I realized how important it is for young adults to build the skills of face-to-face conversations while their minds are still developing.”

To make the event even more meaningful, Sobers invited several Oak Knoll faculty members to be storytellers, including Director of the Hope Memorial Library Elinor Takenaga and Upper School History Teacher Grace Fidler.

Sobers was especially struck by Takenaga’s story.

“I realized that even though I interacted with her every single day, there was so much about her that I didn’t know,” Sobers said. “In that moment, I truly felt how impactful it is just to be curious about those around you.”

The result? Natural, flowing conversations that left attendees with new insights, deeper connections, and a fresh appreciation for the stories everyone carries.

But Sobers isn’t stopping there. She recently launched a blog, Connection Corner, to capture the voices of Living Library storytellers and share creative writing on the theme of human connection. The blog even offers a step-by-step guide for anyone who wants to start a Living Library in their own community.

Next up, Sobers hopes to expand the program to the Florham Park Library, spreading the ripple effect of conversation, curiosity, and connection even further.