“A Book that speaks of itself...”

“There are greats books hidden in most of us”, and this is a chance for those books to be read by others and finds their spot on the best sellers list. - Ronnie Abergel"

The Human Library is an International Organization and movement that was first stared in 2000, by Ronni and Dany Abergel, Asma Mouna and Cristerofer Erichsen in Copenhagen, Denmark.  This event was first held at Roskilde Festival, Copenhagen. The entire concept of Human Library is based on the analogy of lending people rather than books.

A Danish NGO Stop Voldel (Stop the Violence) was inspired by the American Stop the Violence Movement.

The Human Library is a library of people where readers can borrow human beings serving as open books. In this case both the borrower and the borrowed can have conversations. The borrower in this case is often subjected to Prejudice, Stigma or Discrimination due to their believe system, Social Status, Ethnic Origin, Life style, Disability etc…

 

Different Human Library is active over 80 Countries, in which there are only few permanent Human Libraries as most of it happens as events.

         

The Human Libraries work with organization like IMF and big corporate like Daimer, Heineken, Ebay and Microsoft to educate the borrowed, increased diversity and tolerance and promote inclusive work environment.

 

How Does It Work?

The books are all volunteers who have experienced some forms of Discrimination or Abuse and ready to tell their stories to anyone interested. These volunteers are trained to be books so they serve as role models and ambassadors for those who suffer from similar problems. They also answered to the questions which are posed to them.

 

Each volunteer is a Book on a particular topic. Interested readers can check out a Human Book for an allotted length of time at a designated place which is mainly stipulated by the organizers.

 

Features:-

i) 30 Minutes of time of borrowing is the norm but can be increased/decreased by mutual consent.

ii) The Space selection should be comfortable and provide enough privacy for open and honest discussions.

iii) Readers are at liberty to ask any question to which the Human Books answers.

iv) When the reader is done with one book they can return that book and check out some other book which is preferable and available.

v) In case of time constrain a book can be read by a small group of 4-5 readers in group sessions.

vi) If the reader wishes to spend more time with the book the book will go to the designated spot after the expiry of allocated time to be renewed provided no one else wants to read the same book.

vii) The Services are free to the readers.

viii) Donations are appreciated to help support for sustainability.

xi) One can borrowed as many books but one at a time.

 

Position in India:-

 



There are 9 Human Library across India which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai etc. The Human library in Chennai conducted and organized in collaboration with Human Library Mysuru and British Council, its first session of Human Library online with 17 Books and 150 readers.



This event was conducted using Google Meet and each reader was given access were they could choose the book. The entire process was regulated by volunteers and this event was different from their standard format in which the reader could choose any number of books unlike choosing a single book.

 


These Human Libraries are great institutions to improve the mental health and remove the social barriers. It forms a platform to discuss such subjects which are generally prohibited in the society. The motto is to provide a huge platform for a section of people who otherwise remain neglected to become an inclusive part of the society. These Human Libraries act as a network to bring the people together who may have been feeling neglected by the mainstream society for years. The entire concept is a noble idea which not only needs applause to the Management of Human Libraries but would require more participation at different levels to make it a success story. 


- MAMTA SINGH SHUKLA
(ADVOCATE DELHI HIGH COURT)
MOBILE - 9560044035
Email id - adv.mamtasinghshukla@gmail.com

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