The 'Human Library' is Supporting Diversity & Inclusion in a Creative Way

Good News: The 'Human Library' is Supporting Diversity & Inclusion in a Creative Way

— More than 60% believe national divisions have worsened since the pandemic began.

— The Human Library brings disparate people together with the aim of breaking down prejudices.

— Originating in Denmark, the not-for-profit now has over 1,000 human ‘books’ available for loan.

We all love a good story. Narratives are a powerful communication tool and, used in the right way, can bridge divides.

But instead of interpreting someone’s tale from the printed word, what if you could hear it from them in person? What if you could ask a Holocaust survivor about their experience or challenge your own perceptions of eating disorders by speaking to someone who has one?

Now you can, using the Human Library, which invites readers to “borrow human beings serving as open books”.

Each ‘book’ represents a group that struggles with prejudice or stigma based on their lifestyle, beliefs, disability, or ethnicity.

Tackling prejudice with science

Societal divides have reportedly widened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than 60% of people believe that national divisions have worsened since the pandemic began, according to a survey from Pew Research Center.

That shows how there has never been a better time to bring people together, a theme that’s echoed in the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2022, which will be about ‘Working Together, Restoring Trust’.

@TheHumanLibrary: "My first time being part of the Human Library and it is one of the best things I have taken part in." - Reader from  @Heineken_UK  joining us online today. #unjudgesomeone #openyourworld #heineken #humanlibary

It takes just three seconds for a person to decide whether or not they like you, or want to work with you, according to Jean Baur, a career coach and author of The Essential Job Interview Handbook.

So how can we unpack our prejudices, biases, and stereotypical judgments?

A longstanding line of research that aims to combat bias is called the “contact hypothesis”.

According to this theory, contact between groups can help promote tolerance and acceptance when they are brought together under the right conditions.

Previous research has also indicated that getting people to engage with another's perspective for just 10 minutes can have long-lasting effects.

For example, one study found that transphobia could be reduced through door-to-door canvassing, which encouraged people to imagine the world from a transgender person’s point of view.

The Human Library operates on the same principles.

How does the Human Library work?

The Human Library was created 21 years ago by Ronni Abergel, a Danish human rights activist and journalist, after he became interested in non-violent activism.

It now hosts events in over 80 countries and has more than 1,000 human books in circulation in more than 50 languages.

Each ‘book’ has a title, such as ‘Chronic Depression’, ‘Survivor of Trafficking’, ‘Muslim’, ‘Transgender’, ‘Black Activist’, to describe the experiences of the people they represent.

“I had a theory that it could work because the library is one of the few places in our community where everyone is welcome, whether you’re rich or poor, homeless or living in a castle, professor or illiterate,” Abergel said in an interview with CNN. “It’s truly the most inclusive institution in our time.”

The Human Library creates a safe space for people to engage, whether this is one-on-one or in small groups, to encourage people to “unjudge” a book by its cover. The library tailors its approach to each person’s biases and prejudices, instead of approaching diversity and inclusion with a one-size-fits-all solution.

“People want to have safe spaces to connect and maybe diffuse some of the tension in the air,” Abergel told CNN.

someone is writing on a chalkboard to raise awareness at the Human Library
The Human Library has a range of ‘human’ books with stories to tell. / Image: The Human Library

Diversity and inclusion strategies

Last year, The World Economic Forum released its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 4.0 Toolkit, which aims to help companies utilize technology for the creation of workplaces that are fair, equitable, and diverse.

“Successful organizations are powered by the diverse opinions, skill sets, and life experiences of their employees,” Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director, World Economic Forum, said in a press release at the time of the launch.

“Ensuring racial justice, gender parity, disability inclusion, LGBTI equality and inclusion of all forms of human diversity needs to be the ‘new normal’ in the workplace set to emerge from the COVID-19 crisis and it is clear that technology can be leveraged to help rapidly make this a reality.”

paint which reads 'unjudge' on a wall at the human library
A wall at the human library. / Image: The Human Library

this homeless man is sharing his story at the Human Library
A homeless man shares his story. / Image: The Human Library

The human library can tackle issues around disability.
The human library could prompt a discussion on disability. / Image: The Human Library

This article was originally published by the World Economic Forum on December 3rd, 2021.

Article Details

December 6, 2021 8:00 AM
A photo collage of a screenshot from the Hey Jane telehealth app, a lemur looking into the camera, a sign that says 'London Fashion Week Men's', a small crocodile hanging from a tree branch, and Benevity volunteers posing for the camera

Good News This Week: December 7, 2024 - Animals, Telehealth, & Giving Tuesday

Your weekly roundup of the best good news worth celebrating...
Two photos side-by-side. On the left, Noah Kahan tops a drink with sprinkles next to a Bitty & Beau's employee. On the right is a screenshot of a TikTok of Kahan and the employees laughing together.

Noah Kahan supports coffee shop staffed by workers with disabilities: 'Five stars and the service was exceptional'

The singer stopped by Bitty & Beau's on Small Business Saturday before performing a concert in Charleston, South Carolina.
A birds-eye-view shows people working in long tables with green lamps inside a library.

Why Are Libraries Important? We’ll Give You 5 Reasons

Libraries are at the heart of social and physical American infrastructure. Institutions founded on education, access, and democracy, they are in need of funding and support.
A man wears a mask in a library

Librarians Are Playing a New Frontline Role In Combating COVID

Public libraries nationwide are handing out test kits and masks in a growing effort by counties and cities to better protect their residents from the virus.

Want to stay up-to-date on positive news?

The best email in your inbox.
Filled with the day’s best good news.