explore · Empathy, Knowledge Sharing, Communication · 60–240 min · 10-200 people · low energy
Human Library
Volunteers become 'books' with a title that names an experience or identity people often hold assumptions about. Readers browse a catalogue, borrow a book for about thirty minutes, and have a one-to-one conversation in which they can ask any respectful question. It is a dialogue, not a talk.
When to use Human Library
Use at a conference or culture offsite when you want people to meet experiences across the organisation they would never otherwise sit down with.
What it solves
Diversity sessions explain other people's experience in slides, and nobody actually talks to anybody.
How to run Human Library, step by step
- Recruit and prepare 'books' with a short title and blurb each; brief them on boundaries (before the event).
- Set up a catalogue table and a quiet reading area with pairs of chairs (before the event).
- Readers browse the catalogue and sign out a book with a librarian (5 min).
- Book and reader talk one-to-one for about thirty minutes; the reader leads with questions (30 min).
- The reader returns the book and may borrow another (repeat across the session).
- Close with a short debrief for books, separately from readers (15 min).
Materials needed
- Catalogue of book titles and blurbs
- Pairs of chairs in a quiet space
- Librarian desk and sign-out sheet
- Timer
Facilitator tips
- Prepare books carefully. They need to know they can decline any question and end a loan.
- Titles should name a stereotype or experience plainly, such as 'Refugee' or 'Late-diagnosed autistic', so readers know what they can ask about.
- Check the Human Library Organisation's terms before you use the name for an official event.
Common pitfalls
- Books are not prepared and get worn down by the same intrusive questions all day.
- Too few books for the number of readers, so people queue instead of talk.
Variations
- Internal bookshelf: colleagues as books, titled by work experiences, such as 'Was made redundant twice'.
Running it online or hybrid
One-to-one video calls work for loans; keep a catalogue page and a booking sheet.
What it produces
A set of one-to-one conversations and, often, a short reflection wall where readers note what changed in their thinking.
Origin
Founded in Copenhagen in 2000 by Ronni Abergel, Dany Abergel, Asma Mouna and Christoffer Erichsen. 'Human Library' is a registered trademark; official events need permission from the Human Library Organisation. — source
Build a session around Human Library
METODIC places Human Library inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.