The Science Behind the Human Library’s Methodology, Human Library Organization, Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Human Library creates a safe space for dialogue where topics are discussed openly between human “books” and their readers. The human books are volunteers with personal experience with a topic. Here’s a brief introduction.
Recently researchers at the University of Glasgow investigated the impacts of social interaction with stigmatized people in the learning space provided by the Human Library. The study, called Reducing stigma and discrimination: A case study of a ‘Human Library’ Reading event, includes extensive literature review where three types of strategies to dismantle stereotypes are introduced: educational, interpersonal and activism.
By employing the educational strategy, one attempts to reduce stigma by presenting facts. However, such an approach appeals mainly to the intellect and appears to be efficient when applied on adolescents. When working with adults, a more efficient strategy to dismantle stigma seems to be direct interpersonal contact with representatives of the stigmatized groups. This approach is at the center of the methodology used in the Human Library.
Organizing events to provide safe space for open discussions, this format creates learning experiences remembered for the rest of one’s life. At the Human Library, it is the combination of experience and new knowledge that give this approach such an impact.
For more information about the entire movement, see here. Over the last 24 years, the Human Library has hosted events virtually and in libraries, museums, festivals, conferences, schools, universities and for the private sector, in over 85 countries. They are currently opening libraries in Switzerland, and are looking for volunteers to help.
Center for Intercultural Dialogue 