1. Unjudge
Someone

2. History
Originally a Danish idea, 2000,
debuted at Roskilde Festival.
Book depository in Copenhagen,
Esbjerg/Varde and Aalborg on its way.
24-30 yearly invitations in
Copenhagen.
Schools, high schools, libraries,
conferences and different gatherings.
Widely used in more than 80
countries.
Last week Kenya, next week
Botswana. By 2020 we reach 100
nations.

3. An overview of
which
countries and
regions the
Human Library
has spread to
New countries
are joining us
every year

4. We all have stereotypes and prejudices!

5. Who do we publish?

7. Our ‘pillars of prejudice’ is our baseline
Religion: Muslim, Christian, Jew, Sikh, Hindu,
convert, atheist, rabbi, priest...
Ethnicity: White, black, Asian, Roma, indigenous...
Gender/Sexuality: Lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, intersex, pansexual, asexual,
polyamorous, genderfluid, crossdresser...
Occupation: Policeman, journalist, politician,
carer, traffic warden, sex worker, dentist, soldier,
bouncer, drag queen...
Social status: Unemployed, homeless, single
parent, ex-offender, refugee, immigrant...
Health: HIV, bipolar, schizophrenia, bulimic, anorexic,
substance abuse (AA, NA), gambler, anxiety, ADHD,
depression, PTSD, self-harm, suicide survivor...
Disabilities: Wheelchair user, blind, deaf, diabetic,
autistic, aspergers, learning impaired, dyslexic,
epileptic, facially disfigured, brain damaged, Cancer...
Lifestyle: Body-modified, tattooed, swinger,
graffiti artist, busker, vegan, bodybuilder, naturist...
Ideology: Anarchist, feminist, eco-warrior
Partner/victim: Partner of trans, bereaved, child of
gay parents, child of mentally ill parents, victim of
abuse/rape/stalking/incest...

8. The good book
A good book doesn’t give a lecture,
but has a conversation with its readers
Introduction, opening, index of a kind -
typically 3-5 minutes
Creates comfort, proves that your
openness exists, responds honestly
You are only an example of the group
in society that you represent on the
bookshelf
You are a source for more information
Gives the reader space to ask
questions, listens and takes the time to
respond based on own life exp.

9. There are rules for lending a
book that the readers are
asked to comply with.
They must take part in creating
a good atmosphere and disarm
any scepticism among readers
about the premise of the
conversation.
Then the rules will protect both
parties to the conversation.

10. 3
The different publication formats
-
Different kinds of
Human Libraries
Classic Human Library
● Counter instruction, one-on-one,
flexible location, actively chosen to
participate
Visiting education establishments
● Instructions in plenum,
conversations in groups, actively
chosen to participate and fixed
location
Conferences
● Instructions in plenum,
conversations in groups, changing
location, inactively chosen to
participate

11. Classic Human Library

12. Most often one-
on-one
conversations.
Before the
reading, the
reader receives
instructions by
our counter
staff.
The reader has
actively chosen
the topic.

13. The list of our
different books is to
be found on the
counter to give the
reader an overview.
The librarian
informs readers
about rules of
lending and
opportunities.
Titles that speak
both Danish and
English are to be
found in the English
folder as well.

14. A busy counter at
Copenhagen main
library in
Krystalgade on a
Saturday.
Books are waiting
in a room (book
depository) and
are called in
gradually as
readers show up
and choose their
title.

15. Instructing the readers at the loan counter
Festival example

16. A group of readers at Wilderness Festival 2017

17. The counter at
Folkemødet 2016
was in the middle of
the street.
The book
depository was in a
backyard nearby.

18. The Human Library visiting education
establishments: “school visits”

19. Small groups of readers are gathered in a
room or a corner with a good book.

20. Students from
Ørestad high
school having a
conversation
with our
homeless book.
At school visits
the reading
always happens
in groups.
The readers
choose their
topic
themselves.

21. Complementary
formats:
Podcast
TV2-Lorry

23. Meeting readers
worldwide to:
More conversations about our
diversity than ever before
Building Book Depots across the
world
Mobilizing thousands of
volunteers
Refusing to accept censorship
Bringing attention to Human
Rights and the work for more
tolerance

24. Exercise