News Archive
Take out your prejudice!
Today the Human Library passes a historic marker. Because the CBC in Canada in partnership with local institutions and the HL.org is introducing the worlds very first national Human Library Day by featuring 24 events in 15 cities across the country. With all the commotion of this day, we …
Human Library Day in Canada
On January 26th, 2013 the doors of 24 Human Library events in 15 cities across Canada will invite readers to take part in the very first "Human Library Day" in Canada. Ever since the very first Human Library (Menneskebiblioteket in Danish) at Roskilde Festival, it has been a …
New report on the Human Library from Australia: The power of one on one
The University of Technology in Sydney, Australia has just published an extensive report on Human Libraries and the challenges of antiracism work titled "The Power of One on One". The paper was written by Tania Dreher and Jemima …
Human Library event in Russia attacked by nationalist
A reader and a local Human Library organizer were attacked with pepperspray by a young nationalist at a local Human Library event in Russia. The event that took place on August 11th in the city of Voronezh, was only the second Human Library to be presented by …
CBC Radio Canada and the Human Library in nationwide partnership
It all started with one of the most ambitious Human Library projects ever seen in Canada. The Ottawa Public Library held six Human Library events at different locations (branches) and the Canadian War Museum in January 2012. The event was …
National Human Library network in Russia under construction
Last weeks Youth Human Rights Movement Russia and United Against Racisme conference in Moscow, saw the birth of a new national network of local Human Library Organizers from Russia. Organizers from the russian cities of St. Petersburg, Voronezh and …
WOMAD festival in New Zealand to host a 3-day event
The renowned WOMAD Festival in New Zealand will present their first 3-day Human Library event as part of the official festival program in 2013. After the succesful experience from the WOMAD Festival in the United Kingdom this year, the organizers of WOMAD …
Kazakhstan ready with first Human Library
We are proud to announce that the former Russian republic of Kazakhstan will host its first Human Library on September 29th, 2012. The event will take place at Lisakovsk Secondary School where the Readers will be the students of the school.
Our local partners …
Volunteers wanted around the world
The Human Library continues to grow and is now spreading at a more rapid speed than ever before. The 12 year old concept is currently helping to build cohesion and a greater understanding for diversity in more than 65 countries around the world. But we need even more help if we …
Back on track
Our apologies for being absent in keeping information flowing to readers, books and organisers. We have literally had a crisis and it has taken some time to overcome it. But we are happy to announce that we are now back in proper working order albeit the new website has been tremendously …
Sponsor donate new website for the Human Library
The Human Library Organization is proud to announce a partnership agreement with DeVant, a danish company specializing in online services. The partnership will ensure the development of a new innovative website for the Human Library. Work on the production of the …
New organizers guide to be published soon
Twelve years ago the first Human Library took place at Roskilde Festival in Denmark. In 2005 the first Guide to organizers was published in partnership with the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Council of Europe. Last year it was decided to revise the guide and update …
Ottawa Public Library rolling out the Human Library at six locations
In what can only be described as one of the most ambitious Human Library events of the year, the Ottawa Public Library are preparing to roll out the Human Library at six different locations on January 28th, 2012.
The events are …
Training course for new organizers in Cyprus
A five day training course aimed at young people will start in Cyprus on October 25th. The project is titled "How to promote tolerance, empathy and social inclusion" and the program will include a Human Library and a workshop on how to get started staging …
Dokkyo University publish paper on outcomes of the Human Library
A new paper from Dokkyo University in Japan looks at the outcomes of the Human Library in a University setting. This is the first scientific paper on the effects of the Human Library in Japan. Read the results here.
The paper …
Russia next to launch Human Library
The list of countries introducing the Human Library continues to grow. Coming up next is Russia. On November 5th, 2011 Moscow will host the first Human Library in Russia. Local organizers hope the event can mark a first step to a higher tolerance for diversity as Russia has …
High School Students stage Human Library in Tennessee
It started with their civil rights teacher introducing them to the idea of the Human Library and now the students have decided to host their own Human Library at Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library on September 24, 2011.
Upcoming local …
Central Alberta Childrens Festival to host a two-day Human Library event
The local organizers from Red Deer Public Library and the Central Alberta Refugee Effort are expecting more than 30 different Living Books at this summer 5th annual Childrens Festival at Recreation Park in Red Deer, Canada.
The …
American Library Association to host a Human Library at annual conference
Last year we saw the Ontario Library Association (OLA) present the Human Library at their Super Conference. An event which spurred interest among more than 50 new local organizers in Canada. This summer the outcome could be even greater …
Little Rock to host weekly Human Library events
The Human Library has been presented in many different ways, settings and a variety of durations. Some local organizers like the University of Arkansas have reoccuring Human Library events each semester on campus. Others host one event each month, like Lismore …
South Korea next to introduce the Human Library
The Human Library Organization is proud to announce the first Human Library events in South Korea. The launch is scheduled to take place at Seouls Korea University from May 11-13th, 2011. The students of the University will be the first readers of Living Books in …
Danish Union of Librarians honorary award given to the Human Library Organization
The Human Library has its 10-year anniversary this year. What better way to celebrate than winning an award, and that is what happened earlier this month at the annual assembly of the Danish Union of Librarians …
More than 100.000 hits on Human Library website
The idea is simple and quite straight forward but also attractive according to the interest from Internet users. The Human Library Organization is proud to announce that the website has passed 100.000 hits a while back. We are currently at over 112.000 hits and the …
Report: Toronto Inaugural Human Library Event A Success
On Nov. 6, 2010, over 200 Torontonians checked out a "human book" from Toronto Public Library's inaugural Human Library events. The one-day pilot event was held at Toronto Reference Library, North York Central Library, Bloor Gladstone Branch, …
Mount Allison University with Human Library to challenge stereotypes
We all have them — opinions about groups whose activities, beliefs, jobs, eating habits, or sexual orientation are different from our own. On April 6, a group of Mount Allison University students and members of the Sackville …
Moldova next to introduce the Human Library
As time passes more and more countries take the Human Library to heart. Next up is the republic of Moldova. The launch is spearheaded by the Moldovan Red Cross Society who in partnership with the B.P. Hasdeu Municipal Library in Chisinau and the Human Library …
Norfolk leading the way in the UK
In this the 10th anniversary of the Human Library. The Human Library Organization is proud to be part of the largest Human Library event ever to be staged in the United Kingdom. On Wednesday the 3rd of November, readers will have the biggest and broadest selection of …
WARNING: Criminals using the Human Library name in fraud scheme
It has come to our attention that an individual is posing as a representative of the Human Library Organization and asking for monies for services. Please do not enter into relations with any persons asking monies on our behalf. We have …
Grant MacEwan University have provided a superb evaluation report
It is not often that the Human Library Organization receive evaluation reports from Human Library events with the sort of quality as the one provided by the Grant MacEwan University in Canada. Reporting from an event hosted at the South Campus …
Calgary Public Library wins award for Human Library program
One of the first local Human Library organizers in Canada has been recognized for their work with the Human Library. The Calgary Public Library a very ambitious HL organizer, recieved an inaugural Minister’s Award for Innovation in Public …
Human Library spreading in Thailand
The Human Library got its formal introduction to Thailand at a conference in Korat last week.The 28th Seminar for Higher Education Libraries featured not only a Human Library simulation but also gave the creator and founder of the Human Library (Ronni Abergel) the opportunity …
Noorderzon Festival feature a 9-day Human Library Event
Most organizers put up a one-day event. Some even just a few hours, but in Groningen in the Netherlands, a local festival is setting a new record. Noorderzon Festival is happening right now and features a nine day long Human Library event, with a selection …
United Kingdom now with a national coordinator
Things have come a long way since the formal introduction of the Human Library to the United Kingdom in April 2008. The concept has spread out to large parts of the country and now the United Kingdom has become the first country in Europe to have a national …
Human Library confirmed in the Holy Land
The list of nations that have taken the Human Library to its heart continues to grow and we are happy to announce that funding for the introduction project in Israel has now been confirmed. In partnership with the local NGO "United Against Racism" the Human …
The Human Library featured on BBC Radio 4 on March 15th
Tune in to BBC´s Radio 4 on March 15th at 11 am. The program "Living Books" hosted by Sandy Toksvig has a special treat in store for listeners. The half hour program will be the most extensive look at the qualities and challenges of the Human …
Switzerland introducing the Human Library this Summer
While many other countries in Europe have long ago introduced the Human Library, the time has come for Switzerland. This summer at the BELLUARD BOLLWERK INTERNATIONAL Festival, the Human Library Organization is proud to confirm the first appearance in …
REPORT: The Human Library in Texas
The Human Library event held June 6, 2009 was the Center for the healing of Racism´s first collaboration with the Houston Public Library and it was a huge success. In short, human beings act as “living books” that …
US Virgin Islands getting ready
The once Danish Virgin Islands (sold to the United States in 1917) will be among the many territories and countries to introduce the Human Library in 2010. Greece held their first pilot event only a few days ago, and so the list of nations offering the Human Library to readers is …
Living Books at Downing Street no.10
The travels of the Human Library continue and this week its Prime Minister Gordon Brown who will have the opportunity to take out a Living Book. The special event will take place at Downing Street no.10 and is facilitated by UK Human Library co-ordinators Oz Osborne and Nick …
Major changes in 2010
It has been almost 10-years since "Menneskebiblioteket" was opened for the first time at Roskilde Festival in Denmark. Shortly after the first event the creators including the author of this article, began promoting the idea outside Denmark. Today more than 45 countries have …
A historic day for the Human Library in London
For some, coming to the national organisers conference, was their first contact with the Human Library. For others it was the first opportunity to meet colleagues, network and exchange experiences on working with what seems to be an increasingly popular concept. …
Libros Con Vida opening soon in Mexico
On November 14th, a Human Library will open its doors to readers for the first time in Mexico. The historical event has been carefully prepared in partnership with our local partner, the cultural ngo Siijuve and will take place in Puebla on a square in the middle of the …
Human for hire at Preston College
Sitting across the table from the Breast Cancer book, she told me personal stories of the turmoil she and her partner went through as she battled cancer. Looking around the buzzing library, I could see every table was filled with other readers, all deep in conversation with their …
Free Human Library Organizers Conference in London
The Human Library Organization is happy to announce the first UK Human Library Organizers Conference to take place on December 8th, 2009. The event is hosted by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Human Library Organization. The …
Tucson to roll out two day event in October
The City of Tucson’s Diversity Team will host two Human Library events called “Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover,” in conjunction with Tucson Meet Yourself. The free event will take place Friday, October 09, 2009 and Saturday, October 10, …
New record for website hits in August
The growing interest for the Human Library has brought about new records for the website. According to the Google Analytics 9.652 visitors from 124 countries popped in to see what the fuzz is all about. Now for us that is an impressive figure.
US pushed from no.1 by …
Copenhagen proves a Human Library can stand alone
However nice the comforts of festivals, libraries, universities and even corporate conferences, nothing beats the real thing. A major outdoor Human Library event, standing alone in a royal garden, patiently waiting for its audience, its readers.
No …
Human Library Samba in Brazil
Yesterday the Human Library was introduced in Brazil, the first country in South America to launch the concept. The four day event at PUC University is located in the middle of the year´s largest "fair" with more than 100.000 students visiting the PUC RIO …
Event at Rosenborg Castle brewing
Preparations are underway for next weeks, 3-day Human Library event, set in the King´s Garden, outside the royal castle of Rosenborg in Copenhagen. The historic park will bear witness to the largest ever, stand alone event. The bookshelves will be full of interesting …
Human Library in Rio this summer
Get ready for samba, sun and Living Books in Rio this summer. As the first Human Library in Brazil and South America is being organized for this years MOSTRA PUC fair that happens in August, at PUC University in Rio de Janeiro.
The idea came about when Professor …
Houston is ready for take off
The Human Library is spreading faster in the United States than in any other country right now. Georgia had a succesfull introduction yesterday in Atlanta and next week Houston will mark the third Human Library in Texas in two months. Since October 2008 the Human Library has been …
Taking Out Prejudices at Moscrop Secondary
As a high school teacher of a mandatory subject, English, I am well aware that I am boring my students more often than I would like to admit. I need only count the times I am “requesting” (should I say pleading?) with the youth in my …
US Congressman lent out as Living Book in Michigan
The first Human Library in the state of Michigan happened this afternoon at Stair Public Library in Morenci. Local organizer librarian Colleen Leddy is taking a well deserved nap after a very succesfull introduction of the Human Library.
Calls for a …
Royal Castle to host Human Library Festival
Living Libraries have been staged in many different settings across the world the past nine years. Public libraries, festivals, fairs, conferences, museums, schools, parliaments and universities are just some of the venues that have hosted events. This summer the …
Calgary Public Library ready for take-off
The preparations are almost complete and readers hopefully are getting ready to invade the five different branches of the Calgary Public Library hostingt their first events today. The Calgary launch is the most ambititous for a single local organizer in the nine year …
Workshop for new Human Library organizers in Edinburgh
Do you want to know more about hosting a Human Library at your institution? And are you interested in maybe becoming a local Living Library organizer?. Then you may want to join the upcoming workshop for new organizers in Edinburgh, …
CBC Sunday News report on US Human Library launch
Last night viewers of the CBC Sunday News in Canada were introduced to the Human Library through a report about the launch in the United States last year. The CBC followed the events at Santa Monica Public Library and have put together a great presentation of …
US picking up the pace in 2009
After last years US introduction events in Santa Monica and Bainbridge the local organizers are beginning to pick up the pace in the United States. We are proud to announce the next series of events, starting on April Fools Day with a three day Human Library at the University of …
1.7 million for the Human Library program in Norway
After the first Human Library in Denmark in 2000, Norway was the first country to embrace the idea and host an official Human Library in 2002. Since then the concept has expanded drastically and in 2009 it will explode all over Norway. The Human Library …
City of Copenhagen to host Human Library festival in 2009
The department of culture in the City of Copenhagen, decided on its meeting the 4th of December, to accomodate an application to support the "Understanding Diversity" Human Library Festival in Copenhagen next summer. The application from the …
Santa Monica to repeat in April
Our apologies to those readers in the United States who are still waiting to know when a Human Library will happen in their area. Unfortunately we are still some weeks away from making public the next series of events. Before Christmas we hope to confirm events in Texas and …
Videos from the Kyoto ATAC Human Library
Below some video interviews with books and living librarians from the Human Library in Kyoto, Japan. The two day event was integrated into the ATAC conference and sold out all its books. Hear about their experience as a book and the meeting with the readers. The clips …
Japanese readers excited about the Human Library
This morning the Human Library opened for the first time in Japan. The event is organized as part of the ATAC conference in Kyoto, held at the famous International Conference Center, where the Human Library will be open for two days. The Japanese Human Library …
University of Boräs in Sweden with case study on the Human Library
Librarian student Karin Hegnelius Tedenbrant has carried out field studies on the Living Libraries set in public libraries in Sweden. A very interesting report has come out of the case study and the results have been published by the …
Japan launch a Human Library website
On Wednesday the 6th of December, the first Human Library in Japan, will take place in Kyoto. It will be followed by an event in Tokyo on January 14th, but for those who cannot wait and want their information in Japanese, there is a Human Library Japan website open now. The …
Calgary Public Library plot massive Human Library launch
The Canadians are getting serious about their Human Library. On March 21st, visitors at five different branches of the Calgary Public Library can take out a Living Book. The series of events represents the largest launch by a single organizer in the …
Human Library nominated for Bridging Cultures Award
In London on November 26th the Human Library has been shortlisted at the Awards for Bridging Cultures. Hosted by the Institute for Community Cohesion and funded by the Baring Foundation, the ABCs seek to reward grass roots, community and voluntary organisation …
Successfull launch in Edinburgh
Edinburgh City Libraries were at the forefront of a new initiative on Saturday 8th November when the very first "Human Library" was successfully launched in Scotland. Held as part of the Edinburgh Libraries Fair in Adam House, the Human Library allows someone to …
Fifth event for the Bournemouth Library in England
Its only been 7 months since the first Human Library event at Bournemouth Library in England, but this thursday they host their fifth event already. On November 20th readers can take advantage of a Human Library that offers more than your regular Library. The …
The Human Library to launch in Japan
Eight years and four months after its first presentation in Denmark, at Roskilde Festival 2000, the Human Library now reaches Japan. On December 6th the first Official Human Library will take place in Kyoto, Japan as part of the ATAC 2008 Conference. Assistive Technology and …
Bainbridge Island Human Library with 116 readers.
The Bainbridge Library was abuzz with conversation this Saturday as Living Books and Readers met throughout the morning. Using the Human Library terminology, a hallmark of this program, our ‘catalog’ included nineteen …
Scotland next to introduce the Human Library.
The distribution of Living Libraries is picking up in pace. Since the summer, Serbia, Spain and the United States have introduced the Human Library and now Scotland will follow in November and Japan will launch in December. This brings the total number of countries …
The Human Library Sold Out In Santa Monica.
The Human Library in Santa Monica on Saturday, sold out in thirty minutes. All the Living Books representing different stereotypes and prejudices in the community, were booked and on loan to other people (readers) that were seeking to challenge their …
Living Libraries America open to readers soon.
For some its been a long wait and for others it will be a pleasant surprise, when the first official Human Library takes place this coming Saturday at Santa Monica Public Library. At noon the first Living Book will go out with a reader and before the day is over, …
Japanese TV documentary about the Human Library.
The first Living Libraries in Japan are stirring in the pot, but before the concept is introduced to the Japanese public, a major national tv station will air a half hour documentary about the Human Library. The program aims to give its viewers (potential readers …
BIBLIOTECA VIVIENTE launch a success in Spain.
On the 18th of September the first Human Library in Spain was presented by the Association CAZALLA INTERCULTURAL in cooperation with the Department of Youth and Education of the City Council of Lorca. The event took place from 6pm until 9pm in front and inside the …
Living Libraries confirmed in Los Angeles and Seattle for October.
Readers looking for a Living Book in the United States can start looking for their library card because the first Living Libraries have now been confirmed. In the next twenty four months the Human Library will spread out across America starting …
VIDEO: Human Library short from Sziget Festival 2003.
This five year old amateur film was found in the Human Library archives and added to Youtube for those interested. The four minute short gives a little insight to the experiences of a reader on the Sziget Festival in Budapest and to that of the Roma Book, …
Living Libraries Australia: New resource center launched.
The new website and resource center for the Living Libraries in Australia is now in operation and looking amazing. The Australian initiative is supported by the Australian governments department of Integration and citizenship. The resource center has been …
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Human Library Book Review: Publicly Fat in Australia.
A personal and very interesting reflection offered by Raina, the publicly fat person book in a recent Human Library in Australia. Read the blog article and gain insight into an up close and personal experience and about being exposed to prejudices and …
Report: First Human Library in Serbia.
On August 12th the volunteers from the organisation Youth Serbia staged an outdoor stand alone Human Library or Ziva Biblioteka as they call it in Serbian. The event took place at the beautiful Lake Ada and was part of the International Youth Day. The event was the first …
Library Week in New Zealand full of Living Books.
This years Library Week in New Zealand featured a series of Living Libraries. The participating libraries where encouraged to stage events and several new organisers decided to include the activity in the program for the 35th Library Week in New Zealand. The event …
Spain to launch first Human Library in September.
The list of countries that have introduced the Human Library concept the last eight years is growing faster and faster. In April the United Kingdom launched its first events and now its time for Spain to join the experience.
New country and new …
Human Library at Global City Festival 2008.
The Global City Festival in Denmarks second largest city Aarhus, has a Human Library as part of its program. The activity opens on the 21st and continues on the 22th of August. Local Human Library organizer Maja Mandic is looking forward to the event, which is …
Europe´s largest Human Library.
From the 12th-18th of August the Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary will host a Human Library. Readers are welcome to the longest running Human Library in the world. Since 2002 the Human Library has been present on the Civil Island of the biggest festival in Hungary. …
Living Libraries Australia: Website launch confirmed.
In Australia there is a national strategy to support the development of Human Library projects around the country. The Living Libraries Australia initiative is making great progres and have now confirmed the launch of their official website. From September …
Living Libraries America launch plan taking form.
The Human Library US launch project plan is beginning to take form, the first events are planned to take place in the fall. Far from all locations have been confirmed yet and its estimated that there is still a months work ahead, before the plan is complete and …
Article about the Human Library in London spark debate in Japan.
One of Japans largest newspapers, the ASAHI Shimbun, published a report from the Human Library held in London on May 31st. The article reflects on the idea and the approach to facing prejudices. And it would seem that the readers of the ASAHI …
Meeting with the mayor for Culture in Copenhagen.
A date has now been set a meeting with the mayor responsible for culture in Copenhagen. The purpose is to introduce the project proposal for next years Human Library Dialogue Festival. A four day event to take place next summer boasting the largest collection of …
European Union handbook recommends the Human Library as a best practice on integration.
The European Commissions Directorate General for Freedom, Security and Justice has published a European best practice handbook on integration for policymakers and practitioners. Among the methodologies recommended to member …
Dutch organizers produce a Human Library rap.
In the Netherlands (Holland) there are several active Human Library organizers. However there is only one association dedicated only to staging and promoting the Human Library methodology and thats Stichting De Mensenbieb or as they call in Dutch "Die …
Human Library project challenges discrimination in the Ukraine.
On the 18th of May, the AIDS Memorial Day, the Alliance Ukraine organised a Human Library to help create awareness about AIDS and many other prejudices. Between 11.00am and 5.00pm in one of Kiev’s central parks, more than 200 readers came …
US ambassador to Denmark excited about the Human Library idea.
The ambassador from the United States to Denmark, James P. Cain, is soon ending his term in office. But before leaving Copenhagen he has decided to travel the country and get a really good look at what Denmark has to offer, before setting his sights …
New Zealand put itself on the Human Library map.
Why start off with a just a one day event, if you can launch a week long Human Library, such as the one that premiered last year in New Zealand. During the Library Week in October 2007, the Human Library was introduced to the patrons of the public libraries with …
La bibliothèque humaine - a Canadian connection.
The story goes that a canadian student by the name of Hélené Mercier, attending the University of Lund in Malmø, Sweden. Discovered the Human Library while taking place in the Malmø City Library (Stadsbiblioteket). She then got …
Australia with a National Strategy to support the development of Living Libraries.
What started as an idea to combat prejudices in Denmark has now become a National Strategy in Australia. As the first country to introduce a permanent Human Library in 2006, its nothing new, that down under, there are some very …
Norwegian Human Library organiser finding new ways - again.
Talk about taking an idea and doing what you can to distribute and integrate it. The Norwegian People´s Aid is one of very few organizations that has worked with the Human Library in a targeted manner, since 2003. Norway was the first country to …
The Human Library bus tour is over.
With the last stop in Copenhagen, Denmark today, the week long Human Library bus tour came to an end today at Nytorv in the downtown pedestrian area. The outcomes and results of the tour will be published later. The tour had vist stops at cities around the country …
Report from a Human Library in Stavern, Norway.
Saturday June 7th a Human Library was presented at the Labor unions youth conference in Stavern, Norway. The Human Library had ten books in different categories to offer its readers on the day and titles ranged from the hiv infected to the woman wearing the …
The Human Library bus tour in Aarhus.
The bus stops in the second largest city of Aarhus. You can find the Human Library at Lille Torv in the hours of 11 am and 4 pm. This is the sixth stop on the week long Human Library bus tour. The tour is organized by local Scouts in the project "Kul-Tour". A …
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