Report from the Human Library at the IDEA Store in London.

Only the second Human Library to be held in London, set at the Idea Store library in the city´s White Chapel area. UK co-ordinator Anne Kilroy and her colleagues Caroline Presho and Alexander Germanos had prepared the largest Human Library to be set up in the UK. Twenty six books where stacked on the shelves and the librarians where ready to get go. Right from the opening the first books went out. Soon the place was buzzin with chatter and people sitting around the building engaged in deep conversations. The setting was very pleasant and staff from the Idea Store had created a reserved space for books and readers to sit and indulge in the "reading".

The event at the Idea Store was made possible with the support of the Nordic Minister Council, the Council of Europe and Tower Hamlets. All the preparatory work is done by volunteers committed to work to build understanding and tolerance.

More UK events will follow in the future.

The interest generated from the first London event in April at Swiss Cottage Central Library. Has stirred up a very decent interest with readers, books and potential organisers alike. Visitors came from as far as Norwich and Milton Keynes to experience a Human Library. And judging from the reader evaluations no one left the event unforfilled. Manager of the Idea Store, Sergio Dogliani, an elegant and very co-operative italian gentleman, was so excited that he instantly decided that it was not going to be the last Human Library at this location. Our host from the Swiss Cottage library in Camden came by to visit the event and to have a talk about future events.

Prior to the event all the volunteer books where invited to a briefing meeting. On the morning of the event another briefing is done so that books are prepared to recieve their readers when the flood gates open.

Ex-homeless the bestseller of the day.

The selection of book titles available in the list of litterature was quite diverse and thought raising. This meant that the Police Officer and other more mainstream books where in place as always. There are some stereotypes and prejudices that are almost always present in a Human Library. It seems there are certain people, jobs and beliefs that are exposed to prejudices on a global level. Then there are books that will be relevant in one community and not very interesting in another. At the Idea Store the ex-homeless was the most requested title on the shelf.

One of the challenges to a Human Library is not only to find serious and good book titles, or a great location with the target group you seek. Its very much about setting the scene for the people to fill and to act as a ilitator (a good excuse) between the interested parties. Librarians on this day did a great job at pairing the readers with their books and readers evaluations showed a very high level of satisfaction from the audience.

First editions on display.

A first edition book for England, was the transgender book, Kerry. A title that attracted quite a lot of interest from readers. One of the most frequent asked questions she met was "why did you change your gender?". One reading with two youngsters had been especially interesting, and she was very happy with the day and woved to come back, to be a book again. The same was said by Kerry´s transgender friend Jacqui that also met readers at the Idea Store.

Another very popular first edition title, available in two copies, was the facial disfigured person. Michael and Victoria from the registered charity Association Changing Faces, made an impact all day and talked to many readers about their life and the prejudices they are met with. 

Facing prejudices everyday.

Michael took the opportunity to give an interview to Korean television so that his message could reach even more people (translated to korean). To be in a position to explain about the prejudices that one faces everyday is also a chance for the book to better understand what thoughts some people have about their stereotype. To further understanding of differences between people that do not share perceptions is a challenge best solved through disclosure. Readers took well to the opportunity to face some of their own stereotypes and no book titles where left on the shelfes for the day.

Great hosting from the IDEA Store. 

The facilities at the IDEA Store where very complimentary to the event and staff setup different reading areas reserved for books with their readers. At one point an area looked more like a cafe than a public library "reading hall". During the five hour activity close to one hundrede books went out for a mimimum of thirty minutes. Some loans where long overdue when they ended (record that day was 2 hours). Now since the Human Library is non profit initiative, no fines where collected. However a warning was issued to both parts from a smiling librarian. This was not the last Human Library event at the IDEA Store, so check their website or our calender for futher events in the fall.

For more pictures and details from this event and others, visit our galleries with snapshots from Living Libraries around the world.