The Human Library

The Human Library™ is designed to build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue

What is a Human Library?

Just like in a real library, a visitor to the Human Library can choose a Book from a range of titles. The difference is that Books are people! Once the Reader has chosen a Book they sit down with their Book and engage in a short respectful conversation.

One of the main concerns of the Human Library's creators was what would happen if people would not get the point? Or if the audience just simply did not want to be challenged on their prejudices? Well given that there was a total of 75 books available, the conclusion was that with so many different people together in a rather small space for a long time, then they are bound to start reading each other if no readers come. And so it was to become. Before the first reader could take out a book, the talks where already going on extensively and the feeling of something very special was in the air. The policeman sitting there speaking with the graffiti writer. The politician in discussions with the youth activist and the football fan in a deep chat with the feminist. It was a win-win situation and has been ever since.

Find more information contact Ami Walker – ami.walker@staffs.ac.uk

http://humanlibrary.org/

sath.shrewsbury.library@nhs.net

http://www.library.sath.nhs.uk/shrewsbury/