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. The conference and amount of participants also became a testimony to how the Human Library, in record time, has spread across the United Kingdom.

Since the Human Library Organisation in partnership with the Nordic Council of Ministers, formally introduced the Human Library to the UK in the spring of 2008, the idea has travelled far, well helped by local Human Library champions from educational institutions, non-governmental organisations, public libraries, trade unions, housing associations, charities and trusts. Not to forget the primary asset of any Human Library, great books, motivated librarians and energetic promoters. 

About 100 people assembled from 10 am at the Barking Learning Centre to take part in the historic event. The opening session featured a short video from Norfolk on the Human Library. The clip gave a great introduction to the concept and was followed by a short opening speech from the author of this article along with a welcome from our co-host, the department for Communities and Local Government, Living Libraries project manager Mr. Martin Etheridge.

Next up was Chief Executive of Barking & Dagenham Council Mr. Rob Whiteman, who spoke passionately about his own experience in a Human Library at the Barking Learning Centre and on the value of the Human Library for Councils in their work to reach the national indicators.

The buzz was very nice in the room after Rob, who left the ambience in a sort of informal appreciative mode. A perfect handover to the next element in the program, a series of presentations from local Human Library organisers. The assembly heard from the Surrey FA, Preston College, Unison North-West and Gloucestershire County Council.

"Several times during this session, I felt like I got goosebumps. It was amazing to sit there and learn of the outcomes and experiences from four so different organisations/institutions. How they had chosen to integrate the method into their work and to sense the personal gratification in the organisers", said Human Library creator Ronni Abergel (and the author of this article). 

The midday presentations were followed by after lunch group sessions, where participants went through four different thematic groups facilitated by local organisers and the day was rounded up with a presentation from UK Human Library champions, Oz Osborne from Rethink and Nick Little from Norfolk Library and Information Service. Without their pioneer spirit and great efforts to inspire new local organisers, the attendance at the conference on this historic day, might have been very different.

In follow-up to the conference an informal network of local Human Library organisers have come into place and also steps are underway to establish a UK based non-governmental organisation, that can help sustain the growing network and work for the further integration of the Human Library in local communities across the United Kingdom.

Visit the GALLERY to see more pictures from the event.