You must have been to many libraries in your life but have you ever heard about any human library. No, I am not kidding it really exist, here books are replaced with humans, you can directly interact, and obviously you can directly ask any tough questions about the related topic. Don't worry, no one is going to feel you wrong because of your question because difficult questions are expected and appreciated in human library. Interesting, isn't it?
While reading a book usually there are lots of questions arises in our mind, but they remain as an unanswered question forever within ourselves. But in Human library the scenario is different you won't leave without any question in your mind, even they encourage you to ask difficult questions.
Unlike any traditional book, here the book will also listen to you so you can connect emotionally. All the human books are volunteers who come forward to share their life experiences and what they have been through.
History
The first ever human library event was organized at Copenhagen, Denmark in year 2000 by a group of friend and one among them was Ronni Abergel, who is the founder and CEO of Human library organization. They were working for a local NGO namely "Stop the violence" and decided to create a safe place where people can talk about the issues which they need to talk about, where they can talk openly about taboos and stigma.
Now the organisation also works with many big corporations, they increase empathy and tolerance within peoples.
Some basic things to remember as a reader.
- The readers should respect the human book.
- The reader can not record the conversation with the book.
- The reader should not ask personal address or any other contact information
- Be punctual, you should reach there on time, and you have to return the book on time. If you want, you can return the book before the given time.
Can I host a human library event?
Yes, you can. At first, you need to submit an application form, which is available at human library official website. If they approve your form then there will be licence agreement, and they will help you to guide how to organize the event.
On the other side your team need to decide the event date, time, place and recruiting volunteer who are going to be the books. The recruiting part should be done with much attention and energy, they should be interviewed before they become books.
