It started on June 29th in 2000. On a small patch of grass at a local music festival, participants were invited to borrow a person as an open book. More than 50 different people were published, among other a muslem, a journalist, fans of rival football clubs Brøndby and FC Copenhagen, a policeman, a parking officer and Bente, a woman from Freetown Christiania in Copenhagen.

The idea was – and still is – to challenge prejudice, stereotypes and to educate about minorities and people, who differ from what is considered “the norm”. People can borrow a human book from the library and “read” the book. The human book, in return, will tell its story, present its points of view, answer any questions, and share any thoughts.

Bente from Christiania has met many different people through the Human Library over the years. She remembers a class of school children, shortly after the library had its first events:

“Some of the children saw people from Christiania as thieves and addicts, and I realized: ‘Wow, what a difference we could make as books’,” she says. 

Occasionally, Bente is still a book at the Human Library, but the stereotyping of people from Christiania has lessened. She says:

“It is still as important now as ever to challenge prejudice, to demystify and to simple talk to each other to understand others, but maybe now it is more important for other groups to be on the bookshelf.”

Expanding

Since 2000, the Human Library has expanded from presenting small selections of books at local Danish events to publishing a wide range of books all over the world.

Ronni Abergel, the founder and leader of the Human Library, has been part of the journey since day one and seen how the library has grown from a pop up event in schools and colleges. To a global movement embedded in communities and institutions from Bangladesh to Brazil.

“The idea is fairly simple. We arrange for people to meet and talk in a safe and secure environment. That has proven to be a useful and effective method for allowing people to get to know about each other through conversation,” he says.

Educational institutions, companies, NGO’s, and libraries throughout the world, embrace diversity by inviting the library into their programming and large brands are working with the HLO to help develop their employees and their inclusion and diversity work.

“We are fortunate to have some dedicated friends of the library and a wide range of diversity partners that help enable us to build more permanent infrastructure for the library, while we help them create more inclusive workplaces.”

Making a difference for everyone involved

A disabled book with a group of readers in the garden. (c) Elin Tabitha 2020.

And the range of titles has also expanded considerably. The Human Library now includes a variety of topics based on 12 pillars of prejudice, including ethnicity, mental health, disabilities, social status, occupation and religion, so the readers have a real choice when they select their human book.

“All people judge and so we are not here to change your mind or to tell you not to judge. We are here to make information available to you in a safe setting. So you can make your own decisions, but hopefully better informed decisions. Based not on a quick judgement, but after more careful consideration and after meeting someone that knows about it. Gives you a chance to unjudge someone”, explains Ronni Abergel.

Dan has ADHD and AS, which is a type of autism. He has been a book in the library for five years and says:

“The more people, who understand what autism is, and get to understand how to show consideration and be inclusive, the better for me and others like me.”

The Human Library also makes him feel less different.

“People come here to learn from my story, and that is much less likely in a room full of NT-people,” he says.

NT means neurotypical and is the abbreviation used for “people with a normal brain”, and Dan enjoys being with people who are not just NT-people but share the experience of having a different background in some way.

Human Libraries in different parts of the world not only challenges prejudice and stereotypes, it also creates a safe space and extended “family” some say, for the books, who help and support each other, when facing a world that sometimes feels less safe and welcoming.

Inside the Human Library you will find one of the most diverse groups in your community. All bound together by a motivation to help build a greater understanding for people with their background, but as they become “books” and take their place on the bookshelf, many realise that they are in the same boat as many other people from different groups.

A permanent home

Copenhagens Mayor for Culture, Franciska Rosenkilde inagurated the new library and garden.

Now the Human Library has opened its first permanent book depot in Copenhagen. The building and the surrounding reading garden– a place designed especially for the books, librarians, and readers to meet and an opportunity for schools and other groups to visit the library.

The Reading Garden in Copenhagen is open for visitors on select weekdays and weekends. It serves as a permanent space to have a conversation about diversity. The garden was opened with a ceremony on June 26th by the Mayor of Culture Franciska Rosenkilde and with lots of hardcover books, E-books, and international editions published.

The Covid-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown has forced the library to find new ways to meet readers and continue the conversation: The Facebook Live readings and the virtual Readers Corner events. Are both examples of how readers now can join in larger groups or connect with a book, who cannot be present in person, online instead.

For example, a transgender from the Human Library in London is published live at the “World Library”. A virtual event that ran concurrent with the opening event of the new library in Copenhagen. A family is asking questions and they are moved by the honesty and openness of their book: How the parents reacted when they learned of the desire to change pronouns from she to he, and to change name from a female name to a male name and later changing his sexual orientations.

“The Human Library is an amazing charity, and I have met so many people and made so many friends,” he says.

Unjudgement Day celebrations included the inauguration of the Human Librarys Reading Garden, a virtual world library featuring books from book depots around the globe and a childrens library.

The post Unjudge someone at the Human Library appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Our Human Library Book of the Month is a series of portraits of our books and librarians created with the purpose of offering our readers a chance to understand the diversity and variety within our bookshelves around the world. It also provides unique insights into the motivations and values of being a book and volunteering for our organization.

Ten years ago, librarian Allison McFadden-Keesling introduced the Human Library at Oakland Community College, OCC, in Waterford Michigan. At a Human Library event, community members are the “books” and work to create dialogue and understanding between people by sharing their experiences of prejudice or discrimination in an open conversation. 

When listening to the human books’ story, readers are encouraged to ask questions that they wouldn’t in another social setting. After reading an article in a London paper, Allison decided to bring the Human Library to her college.  Half a year later she had recruited the books that were essential to the first event.  

It is a lot of work setting up an event, especially the first few times, but, she says, “the payoff is enormous.” 

The readers benefit from hearing another person’s story and hopefully gain a better understanding of their own prejudices. It’s a safe space to hear another perspective and ask questions. 

Morphed into its own thing

Readers with their Human Library books at Oakland Community College in Waterford, Michigan.

In her opinion, The Human Library makes a difference. Not just for the readers who get a chance to learn about our diversity, but also for the books who build their own community and become close friends in the process. 

“It has morphed into its own thing,” Allison says. “Every time we have a Human Library, it’s like a family reunion! The books are excited to see one another and learn what’s new in each other’s lives.” 

Initially it was difficult to find people interested in being a human book. 

“At our first Human Library, we had 8-10 human books; now we have as many as 30-35 people vetted and interested in participating as human books.” 

She constantly works to add to the book collection.  After attending a Human Library as a reader, individuals often ask if they can share their story at future Human Libraries. 

“The more events we hosted, the more people were interested in being readers as well as books.” 

Stepping out of your comfort zone

“Shyness can be a big issue,” Allison McFadden-Keesling explains. “Some readers are shy or hesitant at first because they don’t feel comfortable having a conversation with strangers.” 

Learning how to engage in a conversation is another benefit of the Human Library. At a recent Human Library at OCC, a student left the queue to take out a book. When asked, the student said he was shy and didn’t feel comfortable talking with a stranger.  Allison reassured him and promised to take him to a human book that would do most of the talking, in this case the Russian Jewish book. They talked with ease and continued their conversation well past the close of the event.

A passion for publishing people

The popularity of the Human Library event has grown beyond her expectations. Last fall, there were more than 160 readers in attendance. Allison now tries to invite specific classes and stagger their arrival time to make sure all readers get to read the books. OCC now offers two to three Human Libraries each academic year.

“After my family, my passion is the Human Library. This is my attempt at making a small difference in the world. One person can make a difference but I recognize that I’m in the cheap seats. The books are the ones in the front bravely sharing their personal stories.”

Allison describes herself as “inclusive by nature” and thinks the library personifies what society should reflect: inclusiveness, and the ability to meet other people with curiosity. “I have seen it work instantaneously; it is non-threatening, non-political, there is no set agenda, just polite conversation. It is truly inclusive. Maybe you don’t agree with everybody there, but you get a chance to talk to them.”

The post A passion for publishing people appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Our Human Library Book of the Month is a series of portraits of our books created with the purpose of offering our readers a chance to understand the diversity and variety within our bookshelves around the world.  It also provides unique insights into the motivations and values of being a book and volunteering for our organization.

An unselfish act

It is a selfish act to attempt suicide. That is one of the opinions, Tess Brooks has met as a book in The Human Library. Tess Brooks is 33 years old and is published with the titles “domestic abuse survivor” and “suicide survivor” in The Human Library in London and sometimes around the UK. The two titles are closely knitted, because the domestic abuse, she´s experienced, led to her suicide attempt.

Tess during a reading at a Human Library event in the UK.

“Then I need to try to understand, why the reader says that. For example, if the reader’s brother attempted suicide, there can be a lot of anger. The reader can’t ask the brother, but it is possible to ask me.”

 “When people say it is self-centred to attempt suicide, I explain how I felt at the time. I genuinely felt that the world would be better off without me, and that I was a burden to others. I just wanted the pain to stop, and I was convinced that I was the cause of the pain and could take the pain away by trying to take my own life.”

So she did not see it as a selfish act, but quite the opposite.

Personal growth from being an open book

Tess has been part of The Human Library for more than a year. She became a book, because she met another book from the book depot in London and was inspired by the opportunity to engage with her community the way the library offers.  Tess is generally very engaged in humans and life experiences, as she is also building a small private therapy practice in her professional life.

Tess enjoys being asked questions, even if some of them can be difficult to answer.

“It is such a humbling experience to help people heal, and when I listen to the reader’s stories, it has often led to some sort of personal growth.”

One of the experiences of personal growth, Tess has had is processing the stigma of having attempted a suicide. Tess thought she had worked through the suicide attempt, when she was published as a book for the first time.

“But I actually still hesitated a little bit and looked around to see who was listening, because I still had some internalized shame about the suicide attempt. Now I have no shame about it, and The Human Library-experience has helped lead to that.”

“People are really surprised that I’m talking so openly about my experiences, and that I can joke about it. It still seems that I should feel ashamed, but I am not.”

Tess hopes that people go away from the sessions with changed views or with new learnings about the mental health challenges that many people face. 

Every reading is a different conversation

She is also published as pansexual, and she is vice chair for Bi Pride in the UK.

But changing views is not always possible nor is it the purpose. Every reading is a different conversation and In one reading, a reader stated that a bisexual just needed to figure it out what their preference was.

“It didn’t matter what I said to that, because the reader was convinced that there were just lesbians, gays and heterosexuals, and nothing I said was making any little chip in their perception,” Tess says and that is also completely fine with her.

At another Human Library event Tess met a reader, who was very much anti-trans.

“The reader took me out to have an argument, but we had a really good conversation, and the reader went away with a couple of books I recommended about being trans,” Tess says.

She understands that the books of the Human Library are not published with any preset outcome and there is no agenda to change anyones mind. It is about sharing your knowledge and exchanging with others and reflecting.

For an opportunity to read Tess, you can follow the Human Library UK on FB and subscribe to the events.

The post Book of the month: Suicide Survivor from London appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Our Human Library Book of the Month is a series of portraits created with the purpose of offering our readers a chance to understand the diversity and variety within our bookshelves around the world.  It also provides unique insights into the motivations and values of being a book and volunteering to be published for our organization.

The Human Library came into Arlo Hogan’s life in 2017, at an important time, when his depression had been treated successfully. “The Human Library was a wonderful, cathartic experience,” he says.

He is part of The Human Library in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, and has been published eight times so far with no.9 coming up in a few weeks.

Challenging the stigmas of invisible illness

Book of the month: Arlo Hogan

Not many people speak openly about what he talks about. He is published in the Human Library with the title “Living with invisible chronic illness and mental illness”. By talking about his experiences with his readers in The Human Library, he feels that he is helping more people understand the challenges and less taboo. At the same time, he believes he makes it easier for others to talk about difficult issues on their own.
Arlo has been diagnosed with a series of chronic illnesses: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Idiopathic Hypersomnia (chronic fatigue), chronic migraines, and others. While also having to cope with mental health, depression, anxiety and ADHD.

POTS is underdiagnosed

Arlo had to drop out of high school, when he was 16, because the school’s administration was unwilling to accept his diagnoses. Among the symptoms, the illness POTS lowers the blood pressure and it makes him constantly fatigued, as well as making it difficult to stand, sit, or walk.

“POTS is a really underdiagnosed illness, because the symptoms can be mistaken for laziness, and some adults will just assume that you don’t want to make the effort,” he says.

Even when doctors confirmed that Arlo suffers from POTS, he was not given the help he needed to finish high school. In addition to chronic illness he has struggled with severe depression, which in its own is difficult and stigmatized condition. But now, as a 24-year-old, he is studying and has graduated and will continue to study more. The Human Library has been a part of the positive path.

“I get so much out of talking about my experiences. I just love it”.

Strength from being an open book

First of all, he simply enjoys being an open book to others:

“Most people don’t realize, how common living with a mental illness is,” he says. “I feel I have a responsibility to talk about it, so others don’t have to, and by having these difficult conversations I think I make it easier for others to share their stories.”

Many are able to relate

Often the people, who read him as a book, know others, who have invisible or mental illness. He estimates that about half the readers has a relationship with someone like this.

“In my readings, I often end up listening as much as I speak. Maybe they have a story they want to share, and I find that very giving.

All questions are helpful

Since this interview in the spring Arlo has recently made the decision to become a part-time wheelchair user.

Arlo has been asked many hard and very honest questions that have made him reflect on his life.

People have asked what his day is like. And this simple question still makes him reflect and see his life in a new perspective. 

“It is easy to take the things that you can do for granted. I can’t take anything for granted because of my health condition. The question helped me reflect on that,” he says.

Another question is how to react and behave, when you want to help a loved one with mental illness as depression or bipolar disorder.

“How can I help, I don’t know what to do,” a reader will ask Arlo.

Arlo will tell them he really doesn’t know what it is like to love someone with severe mental illness such as his:

“But I will also tell them that even if they feel hopeless, the most important thing is to show your love.”

Important to talk about the stigma

But one of the most important questions is how to tell that a person actually suffer from an illness that cannot be seen: How do you know for sure?

“I am an assertive person. I have a job. I study. I look healthy. I don’t come across as ill. One in five Americans live with a disability. 6 in 10 have at least one chronic illness, 4 in 10 have two or more. Because it is so stigmatized, people don’t know the numbers. For me, it is important to talk about it. I hope it is helpful to others for people to be more aware.”

Arlo is next scheduled for publication at the IMF in Washington DC on September 19th, 2019.

The post Book of the Month: Mental health in Maryland appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Our Human Library Book of the Month is a series of portraits of our books created with the purpose of offering our readers a chance to understand the diversity and variety within our bookshelf around the world.  It also provides unique insights into the motivations and values of being a book and volunteering for our organization.

The two girls simply burst into tears, when Mauro Scopelliti started talking about his life at The Human Library event. The girls said they felt very fortunate compared to him.  

“Then I said: ‘I am lucky, too’.”

Mauro can’t help laughing when telling this story. Its made a huge impact on him, because he can make people feel his life through his story. And because he feels very fortunate.

“People wonder how I can be so easy-going, but I was brought up to see the world this way,” Mauro says.

Child of a disabled parent

Growing up with a mother with a disability and adversity in life, 32-year-old Mauro has been raised to be a strong person with a positive mind, standing up for who he is. When he first came out as gay, his upbringing was a big help.

“My attitude towards diversity comes from my mother. She grew up with Polio and doesn’t walk very well. When my mother and father met, his parents did not approve of their relationship, because of her disability. I was taught from an early age that being different from others can help you and be used in a positive way,” he says.

Mauro was also born with health issues and had to be operated in the spine, when he was 15 years old. At first his mother was very upset about this, but later she accepted it and realized that this was not the end. 

“All problems are usually small problems, when you look at it. It is just an experience of human life,” Mauro says.

Readers bring reflection

Book of the Month Mauro from Florence.

One time a reader had asked him, why he did not mention his father more during the conversation.

“That made me think a lot about my father, and how he also influences me. That question somehow taught me an important lesson, and I have started mentioning my father more often,” Mauro says.

He feels that The Human Library works in two ways: Both the readers and the books get to know each other and themselves better and the meeting provides room for all parties to reflect.

Mauro first came across The Human Library in Florence four years ago, when the concept was introduced at an NGO, he was volunteering for.

“I have fallen in love with The Human Library, because the key to ending discrimination is exactly this: Meeting and talking to each other,” Mauro says.

Gay and a catholic scout

He has been published 9-10 times with the title “Gay Power”. One of the many experiences he shares with his readers is about his time with his boyfriend as scout leaders in a catholic association. Sometimes people don’t understand how that can be possible: Being gay and in charge of scouts in a traditional catholic setting.

“It is not the same everywhere. But the attitude towards gays has changed a lot in recent years – even within the catholic church it has changed radically in the last years,” Mauro says.

But already in his youth the church accepted his volunteering as a scout leader.

Working with The Human Library also changes him, he feels.

“We help each other change our lives and understanding each other better,” he says.

That is his main message:

“Diversity is good, and it can make your life better. And of course, we are all interconnected. We all have a lot of things in common, and The Human Library help us to see that very clearly.”

For an opportunity to read Mauro in more detail or many of the other great editions we publish, follow the Human Library Toscana here.

The post Book of the month: Gay power in Florence appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

I had tears in my eyes at times during my first publication as an open book in the Human Library. I was part of a book collection that featured around 70 different topics, all represented by brave people committed to challenging stigma and stereotypes by way of their example.

Strength in our diversity

A book with his readers in Nyborg.It was 70 very different people that slowly filled up the space in the “book depot”, a room serving as our backstage. People were everywhere, some sitting down to have a coffee some stepped outside on the terrace in the sun, many laughing and hugging each other. 

There was a woman hard of hearing, a man in a wheelchair, a blind woman with her dog, a girl wearing a niqab, another with a headscarf, cancer patients, HIV positive along with someone to talk about obesity. Some of them have been sexually abused. Many have a history with mental health issues: borderline, schizophrenia, social phobias, ADHD, OCD. A tall, slender man in very colorful, fluttering robes and seriously tall stilettos unfolds his huge fan out with a slap and generously divides the airflow to those next to him. Others sit a bit by themselves and I am one of them.

I am overwhelmed and very nervous. It’s my first day as an actual book in the Human Library. This library has people

on its bookshelf, people that volunteered to be an open book on a challenging and often stigmatised topic. When the books share their personal experiences in open conversation with their readers, something very powerful happens. As if our defenses are abandoned and instead, curiosity is invited to occupy the space.

My title is “Journalist” and I have little confidence as we get close to deadline in my personal edition. I have to talk about myself and I expect to answer a lot of questions. Usually I am the one to ask all the questions. Today, the roles are changed. And it is a huge event – the largest Human Library ever. More than 400 readers, assembled at a conference organized through the Labour Union HK and all of them work as assistants in Dental Clinic in the public sector in Denmark. They are waiting for us.

Meeting readers at table 16

Questions and the answers flew across the tables.Nadja Thomsen, a librarian from the Human Library, stands up on a chair so all can see and hear her explain how it the day will run. I belong to group B out of three groups, and each group has two librarians to guide and take care of us.

My first reading will be at table number 16 and right now, I have no idea what to say if my readers do not ask me something.

But when the other books can do it, then so can I. I remember that I have been trained carefully and that my content is clear and my chapters are sorted out. I am prepared for the role of an open book. I want to try and help challenge prejudices about journalists. 

And now it is time, together with the other books, our librarians lead us into the big conference room at Hotel Nyborg Strand, to meet my first readers.

“Hi. My name is Lene.”

Was my opening line, while I politely shook hands with everyone at the table.

“I became a journalist because I want to make the world a better place,” I said and explained a little about my background. And then I quickly had to add that it was not always the result”.

“Can journalists keep their own personal opinions out of their stories?,” one reader asked, after I had talked about myself for what felt like a while now. Something uncommon for a journalist.

“It is virtually impossible to completely avoid,” I answered, explaining how we should always aim to be neutral and that we are not always able to.

I also mention how nervous I really am.

“It always helps to say it out loud,” says one of my readers.

“You’re fine,” says another.

Two of my readers share that they had actually agreed to go home early from the conference, but when they heard what the Human Library was all about, they decided to stay and take part in the program.

“It is super exciting to be allowed to talk to you and some of the other books,” one of them says.

I am touched that they think I – and all the other books – are worth hanging around for on this beautiful and sunny Saturday.

After half an hour the reading comes to an end and we have to change tables. My readers at the next table are a little baffled when they learn that I’m a journalist.

“But I don’t mind journalists,” one says. “You’re alright.”

Easier than wearing a Niqab

The book published just before me was transgender. He probably had to answer more critical questions and is probably more interesting to read than a journalist, I hear myself thinking. In my group, readers could also read the girl in the Niqab. She gets a lot of critical questions and some negative comments – especially at one table, she shared at the evaluation after the event. It is easier to be a journalist than to wear the Niqab in public. But journalists have much more power and can really do quite a lot of harm, I think. There are obviously hierarchies of prejudice in society. Books with content that carry a strong stigma and more light books, like my occupational topic. I understand that I’m not in the heavy end and I get a bad taste in my mouth just to think the thought. So why does a Niqab bring such strong emotions into play?

I did not get a lot of critical questions or comments.

Journalist and open book Lene Rimestad with her readers.

“Would you like to work for a tabloid media,” one asks.

Another is really tired of the same, always writing about two things: dieting and tragedies.

A third said that she thought some politicians where getting a very poor treatment from the media during the recent elections to the Danish parliament.

At the third table I am received by a reader who exclaims enthusiastically:

“I just told the others here that the media are not good enough at doing their job and that they distort things. Then is it really fortunate that you come along right now, ”she says and wants to know more about why we covered the parliamentary election in the way we did.

She also asked me what my best interview was about. I had to think for a very long time only to realise that my best interview was not really an interview, but a conversation I had with a stranger recently.

The three readings ended only too quickly.

Standing ovations

Human Library standing ovations from HK members.I got tears in my eyes again when the founder of the Human Library, calls us all up on the stage. All of our readers then stand up and the ovations are many and loud. None of us had ever tried that before.

Afterwards, the books evaluate the day’s experience in the three groups.

“I had three good readings,” many said. And they are proud to have participated in such a big event.

“We are here not only for the sake of our readers. We are also here for our own sake. To experience how others look at us, to better understand”.

That’s how I feel as well. We learn from their questions to us, and we get our own knowledge of them tested. And maybe – after a few hours together – we move a little closer together to allow each other to be yourself: to be human with all that it entails.

Facts:

Books from the Human Library Organizations book depots in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Esbjerg were published at Hotel Nyborg Strand, as part of the Danish Labour Union HKs Conference for their Dental Clinic Assistants members in municipal and regional dental care. 70 books were published and over 400 readers attended the conference. A book depot is a local chapter of the Human Library full of books and librarians that host events in schools, libraries, universities, conferences and festivals to name a few.

The post Moved and maybe even a change of heart? appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

“Being homeless doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t have a house. Sometimes you feel homeless, because you can’t find people who accept you or how you feel. In The Human Library you can always be sure that you are accepted and you have a place,” he says.

He is 29 years old, born in Damascus in Syria, and has been part of the Human Library in Wroclaw, Poland since May 2018. His topic is Syrian Refugee and he has been published more than 10 times.

Readers think I am muslim

Do you eat pork? Do you drink alcohol? Do you like Polish food? Are Polish people racist? Why are you not in Germany or Sweden? Are you happy here? Do you feel safe? 

These are among the most common questions that Ehssan Ruzallah Chameiy is asked, when he is out on loans out as a book in The Human Library.

 “When it comes to my readers, negative stereotypes are not that common, but most of them assume that I am Muslim, when we start our talk. When I tell them that I am a Christian Syrian, they are shocked. They even ask, if there are Christians in Syria?,” Ehssan Ruzallah Chameiy says.

The readers sometimes assume that Syrian ladies cover their hair, and they have asked him if his mother or sister covers their hair.

Book by accident

Ehssan Chameiy a refugee from Syria is our book of the month.

Ehssan became a book ‘by accident’. A friend of his is a Human Library Book, and he talked to the depot manager in Wroclaw and informed her about Ehssan. And that is how he came to be published.

“However, the real motivation is that the project is interesting. No matter where you are, or how you think, you can find your own spot in Human Library. It is a place, where colour, skin or belief no longer matters, it is a home for everyone,” he says.

For him personally, it is also a way to show that not all immigrants are bad or are here for bad purposes.

“The Human Library is a powerful way to illustrate that we can always find common ground and the interests we share, no matter where we come from,” he says.

“I love being a book, and it is like a home for me. I miss it when there are no events for a little while. I enjoy talking to people, listening to their questions, which can be funny and at times also sad. I love their reactions, and I love that sometimes we get so involved and caught up in the reading, that we lose our sense of time.

You are welcome here

A while ago, Ehssan had two Polish readers, a husband and wife, and at the end of the session, when the time was up, they both looked at him, smiled and said: “You are welcome in Poland, we want you here.”

“You know, moments like this, give me strength to continue to contribute to the Human Library,” Ehssan says.

In his perspective, The Human Library is a place to learn, to exchange cultures and to meet different people. He came from kind of a conservative society, and there are many topics which are considered sensitive there, like being gay or lesbian. Based on that he formed his opinion about them.

“But when I met and talked to them, I realized that there is no wrong in being this way. In fact, I have a lot of good friends in our local book depot in Wroclaw, and we have become e a small family. You feel the environment is so light, and each and every person is his/her self,” he says.

In fact, The Human Library is a place for everyone, it is a home for every person, an embassy for mankind. 

For the opportunity to borrow Ehssan follow the work of the Human Library Wroclaw here:

https://www.facebook.com/ZywaBiblioteka/

The post Book of the Month: Syrian Refugee in Poland appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Our Human Library Book of the Month is a series of portraits of our books. The portraits are created to offer our readers a chance to understand the diversity and variety on our bookshelves around the world. It also provides unique insights into the motivations and values of being a book and volunteering for our organization.

The liberated Muslim woman

Two grandparents came in to borrow Saima as an open book with her title “Liberated Muslim Woman” in The Human Library.

The grandfather was neutral in his attitude, but the grandmother looked a bit upset. She wanted to know what Saima as a Muslim thought about women being educated, homosexuals and so on.

Instead of finding Irreconcilable differences, the grandmother discovered the similarities between Saima and herself.

“We talked about our families, and how much we care about them: How important family is to us. We found out, how much we have in common. The grandmother was a relation to one of the other books in The Human Library, and I told her how much I cared about this person.”

“Something magical happened during that conversation, and we were both very emotional. We kind of saw the common love,” says Saima.

The grandmother had tears in her eyes, and maybe she left with a new understanding of what kind of values and approach to life a liberated Muslim woman has.

Saima in talks with her reader

Published more than 20 times

Saima is 49-years-old and she is part of the book collection in the Human Librarys book depot in Fox Valley,IL.

“I am very passionate about breaking down stereotypes, and I think it is my calling to be part of an initiative like The Human Library,” Saima says.

Saima has been an open book to curious readers for two years and has been published more than 20 times.

People come to The Human Library with misconceptions. For example, that Islam is a strict and a very aggressive religion. Saima shares her story with them.

She has lived in the US for the past 23 years, but was born in Pakistan and partially grew up in Dubai where she spent 16 years, from the age of six.

“I went to a catholic school in Dubai and grew up with catholic friends and friends from various other faiths. I really appreciate the different, rich cultural backgrounds that I have experienced in my life,” she says.

Reaching the hearts of people

Saima only became a devout Muslim, when she was having her first child, who is almost 20 years old now.

“I realized it was important for me to learn my own faith in order to teach it to my child. Learning my faith, Islam, taught me to be a caring person for humanity. What I learnt in Islam was opposite to what the world was being told about my faith.”

When The Human Library started in Fox Valley, Islamic Centre of Naperville (ICN) was asked: Could they provide a book for the library? And Saima volunteered. “Human Library is a perfect platform for me to reach the hearts of people and inform them about the true teachings of Islam, which in reality is a very peaceful religion.”

Learning from readers and books

As an open book you meet a lot of readers and answer many questions, but you also spend time with the other books on the bookshelf and so while waiting for the next reader and in breaks, books informally read each other.

“It has been an eye-opening experience for me. It has been so positive to read the other books, too,” she says.

Living in a mainly Caucasian suburb of Chicago, Saima has not been exposed to many other minorities in the community. But through The Human Library she has.

“I thought I was open-minded and open-hearted, but I realized there are so many groups I did not know much about. The Human Library has given me a chance to get to know other marginalized minorities on a very personal level.”

A safe environment to challenge stereotypes

The learnings for Saima and the many different meetings with readers and books over the past two years, has taught her more than she expected, about others and about herself.

“It is a safe environment to challenge the stereotypes, and I really want to continue to be a part of it.”

“Our diversity is a great asset and understanding another human being on a deep personal level is important. And if I can help bring hearts closer together through our conversations, then I would consider myself successful as a Human Library Book” Saima says.

For an opportunity to borrow Saima and ask questions about Islam and life in America, visit the Human Library Fox Valley website to stay updated on local activities.

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

Our Human Library Book of the Month is a series of portraits of our books. The portraits are created to offer our readers a chance to understand the diversity and variety on our bookshelves around the world. It also provides unique insights into the motivations and values of being a book and volunteering for our organization.

Living as a minimalist in Estonia

Listening is such a valuable tool. Listening helps you see beyond your own world and helps you understand the world of others.

“Our society is very focused on talking and not enough on listening,” Dagmar says.

Dagmar is from Tallinn in Estonia and has been a book in the Human Library for several years. She has been published six times so far.

At first, Dagmar was published under the title “Vegan”, later as a “Feminist” and now with the title “Minimalist” or the longer version “Embracing minimalism – gaining more space, life and joy, and focusing on green living”.

“I am really happy for my journey of applying minimalist principles to my daily choices and decisions, and everywhere, for example my wardrobe, home, food, entertainment.”

Dagmar uses two basic questions as a minimalist: Do I want it? Do I need it? As she is a highly selective buyer and considers quality, ethics, sustainability and so on, the first one is almost always a yes. But the second one makes you reflect more closely about your choice and the idea of buying stuff in general.

Growing up in Estonia, while the country was under Soviet rule, minimalism was not a choice: There was no other option for most people.

“So, the environment was an interesting mix of people getting overexcited about having something and usually still having just a little,” she says.

Book of the Month for April, Dagmar Kase in talks with readers from Human Library Estonia.

A journey with many chapters

Changing titles in the Human Library has been a natural evolvement for her.

“I have changed as a person over the years. I am not exactly the same vegan I was years ago, and I have more to share. The same with being a feminist. Every time it is a new experience and an exchange of knowledge for me too,” she says.

But listening has always been key to the experience. And 44-year-old Dagmar is learning along the way: How to understand exactly what is being asked and go deeper into the questions, and what the reader has in mind. How to keep a balance of being open and honest and still keeping one’s own boundaries. How to create a safe space for all involved.

“Estonia is a small country. I wanted to test myself at the beginning, because sometimes these stories get really personal. I talk to total strangers in the Human Library, but I might meet them on the street the next day,” she says.

“The one-to-one-approach is very good, like maybe some readers prefer a stranger instead of someone closer to ask what they have on their mind,” she says.

Finding unity is within our reach

Dagmar values the Human Library, because it is accessible for all and provides the possibility for unity.

“The Human Library displays the diversity of lives and lifestyles. Nevertheless, I see often how people with different backgrounds can be united, just being human beings. We can transcend social norms and challenge the stereotypes in this way.”

Dagmar has been an active part of the Human Library in Estonia since 2012, and she feels that people generally are becoming more open.

“It of course depends on the book and the reader. What are their viewpoints, and how sensitive they are, and how they use and apply what was said and learned,” she says.

Meeting readers

As Dagmar has been published with three different titles, the questions have also changed.

“When I was published as “Vegan”, a 13-year old girl approached me with her mother. The girl had several questions about how to become a vegan, but I ended up talking more with her mother, who was worried about her daughter’s nutrition and the loss of unity in the family.”

Some readers are surprised that Dagmar is not aggressive and pushy about being vegan.

“Also, I was asked how to deal with stereotypes about being a vegan. For example that all vegans believe in the exact same things. They are skinny and weak and so on. When I was published as the feminist, I was asked if all feminists are lesbians, and if there are feminist organisations in Estonia. The feminist scene of Estonia in 2012 was less active and visible than today. Also, one person was surprised that I was wearing a dress.”

As a minimalist, Dagmar has been asked to explain what does minimalism mean for her: Is there a set of specific rules, how did she start with minimalism, and how does she deal with gift-giving.”

“I strongly believe in education and knowledge exchange. Education can have a positive impact on everyone’s life. It can heal and comfort, inspire and motivate. This also applies to me as a book, and the readers give me so much in return, even if they don’t see it.”

You can read more about the sources of inspiration and motivation for Dagmar on her blog: https://dtheveganfeminist.wordpress.com/ and you can follow the work of the Human Library Estonia to find opportunities to borrow Dagmar.

The post Book of the Month: Minimalist from Estonia appeared first on The Human Library Organization.

Our Human Library Book of the Month is a series of portraits of our books from around the world. The portraits are created to offer our readers a chance to understand the diversity and variety on our bookshelves. It also provides unique insights into the motivations and values of the thousands of volunteers that are published each year.

Interior designer by day, sex worker by night

Nitin is not ashamed of who he is, or how he lives. He wants to talk to his readers at the Human Library about his amazing life as an interior designer at day and a sex worker at night. He hopes that by sharing his experiences, he can help change attitudes among readers.

Meet our Human Library Book of the Month for March 2019. 22-year-old Nitin has already been published three times since he joined the Human Library book depot in Mumbai in the fall of 2018.

His topic on the bookshelf is “Sexworker” or “Escorting life” as he prefers to call it. He enjoys to share with his readers, how he combines a daytime job as an interior designer with a night time job as a gay escort.

Thought something was wrong

“I get a lot of different questions,” he says.

They range from: Who are your friends? What are your goals for the future? How do you date? To: How do you make sure that your clients are safe? And how do you get in contact and meet with them?

“I grew up dyslexic in a normal Indian school system in Dharavi. I did not grow up rich. I thought something was wrong with me, until I was out of school,” Nitin says.

But nothing was wrong with Nitin, and instead of giving up his hopes he started working hard to get to where he is today.

One thing is being gay

In September 2018, gays in India celebrated after the country’s Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality. Though this was an important breakthrough for homosexuals in the country, it doesn’t mean that homosexuals are free.

“I don’t think that something is wrong with me. Escorting should not be a taboo,” he says.

“I really am happy to have been selected as a book, because I feel that my challenge is to help change that taboo.”

Sharing makes Nitin stronger

In Nitin’s opinion the Human Library plays a significant role.

“It’s the only platform, where people are asked not to judge. That is so important,” he says.

One day in the Human Library he shared his personal story that also includes his chapter on sexual abuse, from when he was a child.

“A girl in the group of readers started crying and told us that she had also been abused as a child. It was such a touching moment, we cried, and my heart beat really fast. She spoke up about her experiences. Whatever happened was not right, and she could walk away with confidence, knowing that it was not right, and that it has happened to other people, too. Nothing will change if we don’t speak up. That is why the Human Library is so important. I am proud to be part of it.”

Follow the work of the Human Library in Mumbai here for an opportunity to borrow Nitin and many more.

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