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 'borrow' a person for a conversation, to explore their experience or interests and to understand other backgrounds and cultures. The project seeks to develop closer cohesion between cultures and between individuals within the community, taking advantage of the trusted place of libraries in people's experience.

Pioneered in Denmark at the Roskilde Festival 2000, the Human Library gives direct access to someone else's experience, by allowing readers to 'Borrow' a Book i.e. a person who has significant experience or a different perspective to share. It can be used to confront stereotypes and prejudices, to explore diversity, or simply to stimulate conversations (Loans) that otherwise might not happen.

Over the past few years the idea has spread throughout the world, with sessions taking place in the United States, Australia and Europe. The Human Library now reaches Japan with its first event being at the ATAC (Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication),  2008 Conference Kyoto, Japan.

There have been several Human Library events in England in London, Bournemouth, Bradford, Kent, Staffordshire and Norwich with more events planned for the future in public libraries, colleges and festivals. Human Library has also been shortlisted for an Award for Bridging Cultures (ABC) on 26 November in London and there will also be a Human Library event as part of the learning event during the day. Funded by the Baring Foundation and delivered by the Institute of Community Cohesion (iCoCo), the ABCs will reward grass roots, community and voluntary organisations for local schemes and projects which promote intercultural dialogue and understanding.  It will also reward public and private sector organisations for initiating and supporting such schemes.

Visit http://www.bridgingcultures.org.uk/researchnet/abc/a/4850
 

What is a Living Book?

Most likely a majority of readers will find that Living Books are people just like you and me. But for different reasons they are subjected to stereotyping and prejudices. They are open about, who they are and prepared to share their experiences.  A Living Book is a person, that has chosen to be a public representative of a certain group. An example of how people can be, if only minds are open long enough to find out, who and what they really are. But before anything else, they are courageous people that stand by their convictions and are willing to discuss their values with others.
 

A place to ask lots of questions

One of the great features of the Human Library and taking out a book, is that you can ask as many questions as you want. Books have been prepared and made themselves available, in order for readers to be able to dig deep and find out what they always wanted to know about the book title.  This is an opportunity for readers to borrow another person for a given time, and ask them what they want to know.  

All books are volunteers

In the eight year history of the Human Library, all books have been volunteers. Living books have a special quality about them, not all have the potential to be bestsellers, and many have different approaches, but they all have commitment and value. There is something about the attitude and qualities of a human being, that agrees to being lent out for hours on end, to talk with complete strangers about important and sometimes very personal issues. It shows great character and demands respect and admiration. All our books at the Edinburgh Human Library event had a way of life or a view point that represented a different perspective - they had a fascinating life experience, or did an unusual job, or had different beliefs from others. It's that difference which is celebrated and explored as part of the whole Living Libraries project.
 

Our "Books"

The Edinburgh launch had an exciting range of people lined up for the Human Library. These were:

•    Policeman
•    Blogger
•    Poet
•    Polish speaker
•    Quaker
•    Chinese speakers
•    War veteran
•    A Goth
•    Recovering alcoholic
•    Blind person
•    Sikh
•    Muslim

We recorded 45 half-hour official "loan" sessions in the course of the day. However there was a lot more than that going on with some of those being groups, including children and students, books were talking to books, library organizers were talking to books and there was lots of networking and interest with other agencies and partners at the Libraries Fair.
 

Feedback

We received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both "books" and "readers". Some of these included:
 
"Such a fantastic idea and a wonderful way of passing on knowledge and information"
"Great to hear from someone I would not usually meet"
"Prompts me to find out more"
"These resources are unique. Brilliant idea!"
 
Given the success of the initial event, and the level of interest it generated, we will certainly be encouraged to repeat the event in local libraries in Edinburgh in the near future.
 
For more information please contact Ewan McCormick
or UK Human Library Expert Linda Constable.