Report from the Human Library Book Awards 2018

“This is the first time I win something, where the prize is not a beating” said one winner of the Human Library Book Award, Oskar Zytnik,in a moving speech held at the fourth annual awards ceremony in Copenhagen this Saturday.

He received the Human Library Book Award in the category “Best publication on TV” for his episode in Season 2 of the Human Library on TV2 Lorry talking about being “a victim of bullying”.

Recognizing the volunteer books and librarians

This year the award show featured 14 categories of book prizes for members of the Human Library Book Depot in Copenhagen. The awards include “Best New Edition”, “Book of the Year”, “Librarian of the Year”, “Most published Book” and many more. The purpose is to recognize the tremendous contribution the 150+ members of the depot make to society at an annual 30 events.

Our own awards

The Human Library has won many awards around the world and also great recognition. But to be able to honor our own and appreciate their time is very important for us. It is the volunteers that enable us to convey thousands of conversations. It was an evening full of recognition, love and respect. Love for what Human Library is and what it does for people and between people.

The most diverse community

When looking out upon the congregation of happy faces you quickly realize that this is most likely one of the most diverse communities in the world. There are people in the depot with very different backgrounds, ethnicity, religious belief and sexuality. People who otherwise might never have met. And perhaps they would never have become friends, like many of them do.

All in the same boat

Tonight they are together, they are happy and they appreciate and respect each other. Not because they have to, but because they have come to understand each other and they understand that their differences are not dangerous. Above all, they understand that they are all in the same boat on an ocean of stigma.

Beautiful inside and out

The whole idea of the Human Library being a safe space to challenge stigma, stereotypes and prejudices. A space where others volunteered to answer your questions and not judge you. Is very beautiful in itself, but it is even more beautiful to see and experience that these very different people not only get along, but appreciate each other and find common ground despite the differences.

Stigma is the common denominator

Some have had to flee from their country to avoid war and have now found a new life here. Others are born here, but have never been treated properly or been seen as the human being they are. Everyone has met and suffered the negative consequences of stigmatizing stereotypes and negative prejudices.Their starting point is the same and so is their motivation for being on the bookshelf.

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Human Library Book Awards

As we get ready to host the 4th annual Human Library Book Awards and to celebrate our heroes. Let us take a look at what the book awards actually mean for us and why we have decided to host them annually.

From collection to book depot

Five years ago, our founder created the first Human Library Book Depot. Driven by a need for more events, more reading opportunities. In fact it was a small book collection that was converted into a depot and then more and more books have been added to the collection. Today more than 150 people are part of the Human Library Book Depot Copenhagen. This includes the depot managers, the librarians, the books and other volunteers. Each year members of the book depot are published up to 30 times.

From annual party to award show

One year into the new book depot, many more people had joined the collection and the volume of events had increased significantly. Denmark was sleeping for a while, but all of a sudden events were available every month and now it is almost every other week, you can find an event here. The many activities build a family out of the book depot, a special bond across culture, religion, ethnicity, gender and social background. Or despite some might say. It was decided to host an annual social gathering in order to better appreciate and recognize the contributions the volunteers were making to the library and society.

Best new edition to hot topic

This year we have 14 categories to hand out statues of our “Bookey”. Including the best new edition, classic of the year, most published, best audiobook (podcast), best picturebook (TV), school read of the year, hot topic, Corporate Bestseller and Bestseller of the Year. The winners all receive a small wooden “Bookey” Award and a framed certificate. Also a copy of all winners certificates are mounted on the Human Library Wall of Fame in the secretariat in Copenhagen.

Honor the courage and contribution

The purpose of the event is to honor our volunteer books and librarians. For their courage and valuable contribution to society. The event is free to members, there will be great food, music and people in attendance. A more diverse group of people than you have ever been to a party with, we can promise you that. And when together, they walk the walk they talk. They embrace the diversity and seize the opportunity for learning and for friendship. For that and everything else they give, we are grateful.

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