Human Library – inviting marginalised voices into libraries

OlenaWaśkiewiczMA

• One-to-one conversations

• Volunteers - “Human Books” can be

“borrowed” for half an hour

• Titles refer to an aspect of identity which

carries with it prejudice or stigma.

• Titles can refer to nationality and race,

social status, profession, religion and belief,

health and disability, sex and gender

identity, sexual orientation, and life

experience.

Can you guess his title?

Main principles

• Direct experience

Each conversation is unique and shaped by the two

participants.

• One-to-one conversation

Not a lecture, but a two-way communication. Books

ask questions too!

• Real person beyond the label

The Human Book is not expected to be an ‘expert’ on

the topic. They speak from their own lived

experience.

• Gives voice to marginalised

communities

• Can be tailored specifically to the

target audience / campus

demographics / local community

• Increases student engagement

• Learning experience both for visitors

and the participants/volunteers

• Can be organised on a relatively small

budget

Benefits

Learning outcomes

• “I didn’t realise [this group] would still

experience prejudice”

• “Opened my eyes to hardships faced by

people entering this country as refugees”

• “I think society would work better with more

questions and fewer assumptions”

• “You learn so much about yourself”

Planning your Human Library

• Where are you going to hold it

• Who will fund it

• Curating your Human Book collection

• Help with promoting the event

• Measuring impact

• Recording the event and feedback

• Organizers’ toolkit:

www.humanlibrary.org

• For inspiration look at other HL events

– FB, twitter, youtube

Promoting:

Flyers

Pop-up banners

Social media

Recording:

Feedback forms

Photo

Video

Thank you!

9

olena.waskiewicz@winchester.ac.uk

@humanlibwinch

@byolena