Book of the Month: December

Our Human Library Book of the Month series is a way to offer our readers a unique glimpse into the tremendous diversity within our bookshelves around the world. And at the same time, it is also an opportunity for our books to highlight what it is about the Human Library that they find most important in their work as Human Books. This month’s book is truly inspirational and the reasons why she shares her story is amazing.

This month’s book is Syrine, who is 25 years old and born in Bizerte, Tunisia. She is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Quite often in the Human Library we highlight what the readers gain from engaging in a dialogue with one of our human books, but Syrine empathizes how much value being a part of the Human Library Bookshelf has had for her. And for the way she sees her illness. When first diagnosed she experienced what she describes as, “auto-stigmatization” by comparing herself to others and viewing her illness as a total handicap. She feared that this diagnosis would limit her in a serious manner and that it “would be the end of a journey”. Instead she decided to accept the illness and become in control of it.

For Syrine, being a book is an opportunity for “self-grow” and as she says, “Shame can no longer survive once one opens up about his story and his vulnerabilities and reader’s eyes says ‘me too’. Sharing with strangers your insecurities, your fears and your journey can teach others empathy and compassion and you are no longer alone in this”.

For Syrine, sharing her story with her readers is a way for her to accept her condition and to not feel alone. It helps her to see, that every human being has been through hardship and have experienced pain in some way or another. As she states herself, through a reading you get a chance “to connect on a deeper level with others and understand that each one of us has his own battle in this life”.

When asked about her most frequent questions it becomes obvious that many readers borrow her out of a personal interest in her topic, either because the readers themselves have been diagnosed with similar disorders, has a person close by them who is having the condition or just wants to know more about the topic from someone who is affected by the illness. Readers often ask, “How can we help someone with a mental illness? / Did your illness had an impact on your family and relationships? / What is the difference between bipolar and schizophrenia?”

As a book, Syrine helps her readers to gain insight into living a life with bipolar disorder. How it affects your life and how knowing her triggers has put her back in control regarding her illness. She teaches her readers how to express love and understanding towards mentally ill people, as Syrine puts it herself, “[..] replace the tap on the shoulder with a hug and ‘why are you overreacting’ with ‘I understand you, I am here for you’”

Syrine stresses that it’s important for people to accept their vulnerability and illness, because out of those comes strength. Finally, we will leave you with these inspirational words from Syrine: “There’s always hope and as long as you are trying, you can do it. Chase your dreams and go after what awakens your soul, and when you feel lost just look at the long road you have walked.”

The post Book of the Month: December appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Sports and recreation

The funds are some that we applied for from the Department for Sport and Recreation, and with the commitment to support, the municipality of Aarhus makes it clear that they want to see more meetings between people in public spaces. Meetings where we have time to look each other in the eyes and talk about issues that we normally might try to avoid or do not feel we have a safe frame or proper prerequisites to get into. That is the framework that the Human Library creates and in 2019 we will be able to create many more in Aarhus.

Many new volunteers

A book depot for East Jutland will make it possible for us to facilitate up to 30 events annually in collaboration with educational institutions, festivals, libraries and private companies and this will activate many new volunteers. A fully-featured book depot will be able to support activities throughout the region and thus act as a central collection of human resources that we can quickly mobilize. We look forward to welcoming the many new books and librarians in the Human Library East Jutland book depot.

Historical commitment

It is the first time in the 18 years The Human Library has existed that a Danish municipality provides support for the establishment of a local book depot. It is a bit historic for us, so thank you for the trust and support of the municipality of Aarhus, and thank you to all the people in Aarhus.

The post City of Aarhus supports new Human Library book depot appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Two new Human Library book depots in Aarhus and Odense

It won’t be long before our readers on the Island of Fyn and residents of East Jutland, Denmark, will have access to a human book that volunteered to answer difficult questions on challenging topics. With the expansion we are finally nationwide at home.

With support from Roskilde Festival we are working on expanding our danish book collection by establishing two more Human Library books depots in Denmark. The new book depots will focus on serving the greater Aarhus and Odense regions.

The Human Library Book Depot

A book depot is a group of volunteer books and librarians who facilitate events at libraries, schools, high schools, universities, festivals, etc. We publish our books in order to help improve interpersonal understanding and to build a greater acceptance of our differences and diversity. A typical book depot will carry over 50 books and help deliver 10-30 events each year.

Reaching more readers

A book depot essentially enables us to prepare and host events with less prep time and less cost and they allow us to multiply the amount of events we can facilitate. With two more book depots in operation by 2019 we expect to be able to host over 60 events annually. Bringing the total amount of books on storage in our Danish book depots to 300+.
Request events off the bookshelf

Having a local Human Library Book Depot will allow for us to ensure quality in content, care take for our books and work directly with a wide range of local partners that want to host the Human Library, but is unable to build their own from scratch. In fact once fully stacked with books and librarians, it will be possible to deliver events with high quality that are time and cost efficient.

Reading human books is a global phenomena

Since 2000 the Danish Human Library has spread to more than 80 countries worldwide. This is the place where you can challenge prejudices and have a one-to-one dialogue with some of the most vulnerable groups in society. Here human books are on loan for personal conversations where you can ask about everything within the topic
Do you want to join us

We can always use more Books and Librarians for our events. Please fill out an application on our website to join our work.

The post Two new Human Library book depots in Denmark appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Book of the Month: August

Each of our human books, help challenge stereotypes and stigmatization, by sharing their personal story and enter dialogue, with the curious readers. Their effort helps promote understanding and diversity – all over the world!

With Book of the Month, we highlight these amazing individuals, by giving you an exclusive portrait of one of our bestsellers. The Book of the Month for August is one of our newer publications, but her brave story has already inspired and touched readers. Meet Yuzhakova Anna Mikhailovna, a 28-year-old living in Vologda city, Russia. She has been with the Human Library for 4 month and been published at 2 events. She is published with the title “Domestically Abused” and shares her story with readers, hoping to help others experiencing something similar.

Yuzhakova explains that the most common questions she gets from her readers are “why didn’t you leave your husband?”, “How to recognize abuse?” and “Can you still trust men?”. She recons that broadening the readers understanding, was the main reason for her involvement as a human book:

“Sharing my story is very important to me, as perhaps it may help someone to change his or her attitude towards abuse. The awareness of the issue is the key weapon here – which, unfortunately, I did not happen to possess for a long time.”

Furthermore, she explains that the meeting between readers and books, creates a unique space where inspiring dialogue is at the forefront. Being part of this, and the readers openness, are central incentives for her still being a part of the Human Library:

“As I said, sharing my story is important to me, and I also enjoy engaged dialogues in the kind and cheerful atmosphere that reigns in The Human Library.”

Openness & Curiosity

She points to the willingness to engage in open dialogue in a safe space, as the most valuable aspect of the Human Library. A dialogue that in its nature, can be an inspiration – for both the books and the readers – and create a greater understanding of other people, but even more so, of yourself. Yuzhakova says that the greatest feedback she can get from readers, is knowing that her story has changed their outlook on their own lives:

“When a feedback came from a Reader telling that my story became an eye-opener to her/his problem.”

Openness is essential for both the readers and the books, to create the best possible dialogue – especially when it comes to challenging the stereotypes we all, consciously or unconsciously, have:

“Opening your mind and extending the frontiers of stereotypes in your head – often the ones you don’t even have the slightest idea about – is essential, I think.”

As a final advice for readers – all over the world – Yuzhakova has a simple, but strong, advice:

“Raise more attentiveness and curiosity in yourselves.”

To know more about abuse, Yuzhakova recommends reading, Lundy Bancroft “Why does he do that?”, and Tanja Tank “Be afraid, I’m with you”. And make sure to stay aware of Human Library events in your local area, so you get the chance to meet inspiring and authentic stories that will give you a more reflective view of yourself.

To meet Yuzhakova (and many other inspiring human books), keep an eye on our Russian Human Library – through facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humanlibrarysicily/ – or follow us on Facebook, to get notified about events all over the world!

Our amazing human books can’t wait the be read by you!

The post Book of the Month: August appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Book of the Month: June

With their personal and authentic stories, our human books help challenge stereotypes, stigma and prejudice – all over the world! To highlight these amazing individuals, each month we bring a portrait of one of our bestsellers. With the help from our outstanding book depot managers and librarians from all over the globe, we can give you insight into one of our books story, message, and thoughts.

The book of the Month for June is 58-year-old, Ingrid van Hamont, a native of Tilburg, the Netherlands. She has been a human book for 4 years and is a part of the incredible collection, at the Human Library Tilburg. She has been published approximately 40 times – and have held lectures for larger audiences twice. Being published with the titles AEC Syndrome and Bald Lady, Ingrid recons that a lot of readers have similar immediate questions: what is AEC syndrome? Why are you bald? Did you get bullied a lot? How did you cope? And especially people’s perception of her fragility is something Ingrid meets a lot:

“As a result of my condition, my baldness, I look like I’m more vulnerable than I am. Others think I am bald as a result of chemotherapy. The effect is that they sometimes avoid me or want to protect me.”

Ingrid describes that this behavior – based on prejudice or misunderstandings – was the main reason for her joining the Human Library.

“People with prejudices do not only injure another person, but also themselves. I want to make people aware of the fact that they have prejudices and what effect they can have, on that other person, but also on themselves, and for me personally. I wanted to show people my strength. What is more, I wanted to show them that my baldness is in fact my strength. However, I don’t feel the need to prove myself anymore.”

Besides helping challenge prejudice, Ingrid has gained more self-confidence, and through the Human Library, se feels heard. Each reading gives her energy and she thoroughly enjoys meeting the readers:

“Every conversation is interesting because it is different every time. Because readers often share their own stories, see points of contact, and have questions. It is wonderful to be able to help others move forward in such an open-minded and relaxed atmosphere.”

“It is important to be part of HL because it connects people.”

Ingrid points out, that the most valuable part of the Human Library, is the open-minded atmosphere which allows peoples genuine interest in another person, and personal stories, to blossom. She states that the effect of the readings, often is that the readers go home filled with different insights – and furthermore, the books leave with a greater self-appreciation and self-confidence, as a result of others genuine interest in them.
Besides the contact with the readers, Ingrid’s most valuable experience with the Human Library, was when she was used for PR:

“That my picture was used in PR for the 2018 edition was a very special moment for me, a milestone. For a large part of my life, I hardly dared to let myself be seen or heard. My photo, large as life on a poster was a very visible result of what I have achieved in terms of personal growth.”

Ingrid has a very clear message to readers all over the world: don’t try to deny having prejudice, acknowledge them, and keep an open mind. She states that it is important, to not think of prejudice as a negative:

“Having prejudices is human. We fill in the blanks based on experiences that we go through in our lives and based on stories that we hear. That is not a problem in itself; it provides people with certainty, predictability. However, it is crucial that we are aware that we are filling in blanks, aware of the fact that we are creating our own version of the truth, that need not at all coincide with a different person’s reality. A human being is more than just the label that he or she has been given.”

If you want to know more about Ingrid – or AEC Syndrome – you can visit her website: www.individunica.nl (in Dutch) or https://www.orpha.net (look for AEC syndrome or Ectodermal Dysplasia). Even better, make sure to stay updated through our facebook where you can get information on upcoming Human Library events – this way you can get to experience Ingrid and all of our incredible titles, all over the world!

The post Book of the Month: June appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Book of the Month: May

With our monthly portraits – Book of the Month series – we want to highlight the courageous books that we publish all over the world and allow you to gain some insight into their experiences. The book of the month for May is nothing short of a Human Library classic. One of very few books to be published in different countries and also a rare edition to offer readers insight into three different stigmatized issues!

Batoul, a 33 year old Kuwait-born, is part of the Human Library Book Depot in Copenhagen, Denmark, and has been a book for 10 years. She has been published in Denmark and the United Kingdom, and has participated in events ranging from public libraries, schools and colleges, festivals and at corporate events with our Diversity Partners. This spring Batoul was published in Season 2 of the Human Library TV-Show on TV2-Lorry.

Currently the primary topic that readers are inviting Batoul out on loan to talk about is her experiences as a Victim of Stalking, but she also gets many questions about her background as a Muslim.

“… the most common questions from readers include “but don’t you know the man who stalked you?” or ”he is an ex-boyfriend right?” or “What kind of help could you get?””

And as a seasoned and experience book, she helps readers gain insight into the reality of being a victim of stalking – and how it affects your life. She makes a point to her readers, that stalkers are not always a person you know – and in this case, Batoul offers a take on what it’s like to have a complete stranger obsessed with you. This understanding is a very central part of her motivation to continue to be a book, as she explains:
“I believe that people are very much alike and if given an opportunity despite of prejudice to get to know one another, we actually do just that. Being a book gives me that opportunity.”

The unity between the readers & the books

Beyond helping in advancing understanding and tolerance in the community, there is a clear personal gain built-in to being published from the Human Library:

“The unity of both books and readers, of human. The 30 minutes of real life actual people sharing confidentiality and trust, is a valuable part of why this is right. That meeting between people that is so natural yet around sensitive topics is amazing.”

It’s that authentic meeting – between real people who have honest questions and take part in real conversations – that is one the main reasons staying on for so long, as a book:
“It is such a rewarding part of my life. I always say that if the readers get just half of what I’m getting then I’m happy.”

With a decade of experiences and honest conversations, with a huge number of readers, it’s hard for her to pin-point a single great experience.

“I have tons of those. Each event is a new adventure. And among the books, we expand each other’s horizon, we read each other and we meet our readers in a common spirit and mission. I have personally gotten some of my boundaries pushed and I have gotten to understand myself a lot better through the Human Library. So to be able to do that while creating memories with amazing people around is a blessing to me.”

There are many ways to become part of the Human Library or to allow the Human Library to become part of you.

“Because in the end you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Spreading awareness is an important part of my title, but also in talking with others you learn bout yourself and you gain access to different aspects to view your situation from, I find that very interesting and helpful to me as well.”

One advice for readers, no matter where in the world they are joining the bookshelf from:

“Dont hold back, use this opportunity to ask freely, ask the questions you really want to know the answer to. We are here to share our answers with you.”

The post Book of the Month: May appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Book of the Month: April

Our biggest pride is our diverse collection of amazing and authentic books – from all over the globe! To highlight these amazing individuals, who help build a greater understanding in their communities, we are publishing a book portrait each month. The monthly portraits are to offer an insight into the diversity of our books, their motivation for being on the bookshelf – and each Book of the Month should be read as representative of all of our outstanding books and their courageous contribution to their community and the Human Library.

Gay and Christian in Romania

April’s Book of the Month is 30 year old, Victor Ciobotaru from Romania. Victor joined our bookshelf 2 years ago and has been published with two different topics: Gay and Christian. Victor became a book shortly after coming out as a gay person.

In Victors experience there is a lot of prejudices about the LGBTQ+ community in Romania and all of which are based on old and negative stereotypes. This is doing great harm to the Romanian society, and this motivated him to join the Human Library in Bucharest.

“I believe that a positive evolution of mentality is possible only through authentic knowledge about people around us. I want to be part of the change in my country, so I accepted the challenge to become a book in Human Library.”

Readers focus

Over the last two years, Victor has been published around ten times and every event was different and had a very diverse set of readers, including public authorities, police officers, high school students, art consumers, human rights activists, moviegoers, and people from the corporate environment. The most common questions from readers have been about the process of coming out and his family’s reaction. But also, a huge amount of speculation about current lifestyle – as both a gay person and a Christian.

“Readers curiosity is manifested on how I managed to reconcile Christian spirituality with my sexual orientation. Of course, a lot of them want to know what it is like to be part of a same sex family in Romania, since there is no legal recognition yet for same sex couples.”

Victor acknowledge that mentalities are changing slowly, but there is still a lot of work to do – and affirms that “being an open book is a lifetime job”.

He points out, that for the books at the Human Library, it is also a very giving experience. recognizes that he has received as much knowledge and understanding, through the interaction and dialogue with his readers, as his readers do.

“It doesn`t matter which part of the Human Library you are, every time it is an amazing experience which implies reciprocal vulnerability that has the power to transforms us. I can say I am a richer person because I have shared my story with every fellow I have been interacting with and because in return I have also received their thoughts, questions and concerns.”

The most valuable aspect of the Human Library concept, is its ability to create a safe and frank context for different people to come together in an honest interaction.

A simple message

Victor has a simple message to readers all over the world, about understanding and diversity:

“The message I share is as simple as it can be. We are all different and the diversity makes life beautiful and worth living. Regardless of our sexual orientation, we are equals and human beings. Most of the traumas people next to us pass through would not exist if we could learn to be more tolerant and accepting. LGBT people are not abstract concepts but our friends, our relatives, colleagues or neighbors. The decision to be ourselves and to assume our identity, brings freedom and a chance to develop authentic relationships.”

To get a chance to take Victor for a read. Follow the Human Library Romania on FB via ART Fusion. To learn more about Victor, and his life as a gay Christian, go to his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/crestiniprolgbtromania and make sure to follow the Human Library Organization facebook page, to stay updated on upcoming events – where you can meet your own local bestsellers!

The post Book of the Month: April appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Nahian, a Bestseller from the Human Library Book Depot in Dhaka, Bangladesh

“Book of the Month” is our series of portraits, of our book collection – from all over the world! With these portraits, we get to bring focus on our amazing books, and show the diversity in our international collection.

March’s Book of the Month is 21-year-old Nahian Bushra, from the Human Library Dhaka, Bangladesh. Nahian has been published under two titles: Visually Impaired Person & A Beam of Hope in the Sea of Darkness. In July, she will have been with the Human Library Dhaka for a full year.

At her readings, the most common questions readers have for her is: “Can you tell us more about your struggle to reach where you are now?” and “Do you have any regrets about this kind of life?”. Through her meetings with the readers, she reckons that the most valuable parts of being a book at the Human Library is:

“… how it preaches compassion so beautifully in the society by bringing out a person for who he/she is; stripped of all labels and stereotypes.”

Her reasons for staying with us, is her experience of how her story has inspired readers. She explains that:
“I want to keep inspiring and keep teaching others to not judge a book by its cover.”

Her reasoning for becoming a book in the first place, was her understanding of how people judged others based on their general appearance and first impression. Despite not having the vision, she could sense this tendency in her surroundings, and proclaims that:

“When they look at me, all they probably see is a visually impaired girl, but they have no idea about my strength, they have no idea about how many hurdles I have overcome to be the person I am today. I wanted to be the beam of hope for the people who are losing to darkness and therefore, I chose to become a Human Book.”

For her, the best reaction from readers are when they acknowledge her struggles, but also when they explain:

“… how I have become an inspiration for them to never think of a disability as a weakness again.”

Acknowledgement and humanity is a crucial part of her involvement with the Human Library. She points out that as technology and digital presence is constantly increasing, we must remember our most human aspect – our ability to love and respect each other. Her message is clear:

“This is the time when we need to stop what we are doing and look at the people around us who we see on a regular basis but fail to understand. Dialogue is important to break the stereotypes and bring people closer to their humanity because that is what will make the society complete. Therefore, it is important to be a part of the Human Library.”

Nahian has just a single advice for all her readers: to live life to the fullest. Her message is that life is a roller coaster – and it is not meant to be smooth – but that life itself is the biggest gift ever. She underlines this, with some clear advice:

“If you are alive, you have all you need to get through the hurdles you face. Your disability can never be a weakness if you don’t allow it to be.”

Nahian keeps on leaving a positive impact on all her readers – and ends by encouraging everyone to follow the Human Library and attend one of our events. This way you can meet hopeful and inspiring individuals – like her – and get back in touch with your humanity, through understanding and human contact. Keep updated on Nahian – and her fellow amazing books from the Human Library Dhaka

The post Book of The Month: March appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Albert, a Bestseller from the Human Library Book Depot in South Africa

The Human Library “Book of The Month” is a series of portraits from our book collections around the world. It has been created to showcase the diversity in topics we carry and give an insight into the questions that books are answering from readers in their local communities.

February’s Book of the Month is 31 year old, Albert Matthews, from South Africa. Albert has been published under two titles in the Human Library: the Ex-Gangster and as the Ex-Drug Addict.
In the months that Albert has spent being part of the Human Library Book Depot in Cape Town, he has been published twice and estimates his number of readings to being around 10.

The question most frequently asked so far has been “Why did you join a gang?”.

With a history of being a member of the gang environment and a former substance abuser, Albert proclaims that the reason for joining the Human Library was that, he saw it as an opportunity to share his experience and his story of hope. This reasoning has not changed at all, and regarding his continued role as a book:

“I want to continue being a message of hope and change the stigma of “once an addict always an addict”

As a book at the Human Library, you are going to meet and enter into dialogue with an array of different people. Albert sees this as a great opportunity, and one of his best experiences as a book was meeting another book.

“I met a homeless guy that shared his story with me because one never find time to speak to homeless person.”

Albert feels that one of the most valuable aspects of the Human Library, is the complete lack of judgement and explains that being a part of the Human Library, is important because:

“It allows one to go through a paradigm shift and see life from a different perspective and also understand why people do certain things.”

Readers that feel tempted to take out Albert on loan should be prepared when coming to the Human Library.

“My message is short and simple, yet very important. People need to understand that change is possible”.

To find out more about Albert and his work with the Human Library in Cape Town, go follow the Human Library Cape Town’s facebook page, to get information about upcoming events, where you can meet Albert – and a wealth of other amazing books from South Africa: https://www.facebook.com/humanlibrarysa/

The post Book of the Month: February appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Malii a Bestseller from the Human Library Book Depot in Chicago

The most central aspect of the Human Library, is without a doubt the books. The people who volunteer to center themselves and answer personal questions, for the sake of breaking judgements and prejudices—and create greater diversity and understanding worldwide. The Book of the month series will focus on one of our many exceptional bestseller from around the world, and allow for a brief view into their experience as a part of the Human Library.

The first book of the month, is 37 year old Malii, a Chicago born native. Malii has been with the Chicago Human Library since 2016, and have participated in events 4-5 times. Malii carries not just one but has decided to offer two topics from the Human Library’s bookshelf: Baha’i and Black U.S. American . One of the most asked question from readers, regarding the title as Baha’i, is simply: what is Baha’i? But when it comes to the title as a black U.S. American:

”I can’t put a finger on a common question. It’s my sense that people think they know the basics about my Black identity, and conversation for this title starts at a more complex level of questioning.”

Whenever readers are asking Malii to summarize her message, then it falls on two very clear pieces of advice:

“First, give yourself some time to reflect on the conversation some point soon after it takes place. And, then consider to encourage friends to attend as readers or volunteer to be published.”

Malii first became a volunteer, and later—a book, at the Human Library, after experiencing the organization at an actual book fair in Chicago.

“It was a very cold day at an outdoor venue, and I sat and talked with a few books and treated the volunteers to hot chocolates and coffee before leaving. I wanted to join a group that demonstrated the kind of authenticity, candor and dedication in promoting conversations that matter between neighbors.”

Malii’s motivation for volunteering at the Human Library remains the same—even after 2 years. “the Human Library treats its volunteers well!”

Although Malii finds it hard to top her initial excitement, about first encountering and learning about the organization. She feels that every single experience as part of the Human Library, has given something of value:

“Every volunteer event offers me fun, meaning and food for thought.”

Besides her own experiences with the organization and the readers, Malii also has some sound thoughts about the Human Library as a whole:

“Beyond a make-sense and feel-good mission, the Human Library makes it easy for the public to take a moment and contribute positively to understanding among society- for their own sake and others.”

To Malii the dialogue and reflection that the Human Library can contribute to the society, is of great value. She also points out, that her personal gain from being part of the Human Library, also is of great value:

“My Faith teaches me to build a world in which we all develop ourselves and one another spiritually. I think both being a part of the Human Library and reading books from the Human Library contributes to this more profound endeavor. It’s an exercise in self-knowing and understanding that there really are no “others.”

To find out more about Malii’s topics, visit: www.Bahai.us or meet her – and many other exciting books – at one of the Human Library’s many events! Visit Facebook for more information: facebook page and Human Library Chicago

The post Book of the month: January appeared first on The Human Library Organization.