This Library In Denmark Lets You Borrow Humans Instead Of Books

April 6, 2022

In Copenhagen, there's a library where you can borrow a person instead of a book.

It's called the Human Library.

human library
Credit: Human Library Organization / Facebook

Instead of reading a book, you spend 30 minutes learning about the person, or the "human book".

"We publish people like open books on a given topic. Our readers ask questions and get answers from their 'book'," the organization says.

human library
Credit: Human Library Organization / Facebook

The goal of the Human Library Organization is to address people's prejudices by helping them to talk to those they would not normally meet or speak with.

"The Human Library Organization is a global movement working to build spaces in the community for personal dialogue about issues that are often difficult, challenging and stigmatizing," the organization says.

human library
Credit: Human Library Organization / Facebook

The Human Library was created by Ronni Abergel, a Danish human rights activist and journalist who became interested in non-violence activism after a friend he describes as a "troubled youth" survived a stabbing in Copenhagen.

He wondered if a human library could bring people together peacefully like a traditional one.

human library
Credit: Human Library Organization / Facebook

He launched the first Human Library at the Roskilde Festival in Copenhagen in 2000.

It ran for four days with eight hours of conversations each day.

More than 1,000 people took part.

human library
Credit: Human Library Organization / Facebook

The next Human Library was hosted in Oslo, Norway, by Abergel for the Nordic Minister Councils youth assembly.

The first permanent Human Library was established in Lismore, Australia, in 2006.

human library
Credit: Human Library Organization / Facebook

As of 2022, the project has grown to have partners in more than 80 countries across the world.

Most happen as events, although there are a few permanent Human Libraries.

human library
Credit: Human Library Organization / Facebook

To learn more about the Human Library, visit their website HumanLibrary.org or check them out on Facebook.

Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoWOW! Seal Begs Boaters For Help As Orcas Hunt Him

feel good storiesMom Shares 4th Grader's Spelling Test Answers, #13 Has Everyone Laughing

feel good storiesThis Letter From C. S. Lewis To His Goddaughter, For Whom He Wrote 'The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe'

feel good storiesThese Twin Cats Do Everything Together — And We Can’t Get Enough

feel good storiesCat Goes Viral For Playing Cards Against Humanity — And She’s Serving Pure Chaos

feel good storiesToddler ‘Arrested’ After Taking One Bite Out Of Every Fruit

feel good videoDrone Stumbles Upon Polar Bears Living Their Best Life In Abandoned Soviet Research Station

feel good videoMom Catches Dad–Daughter Moment On Baby Monitor And Starts Sobbing

feel good videoToddler’s Wholesome Reaction To Dad Being 'Left Out' Goes Viral

feel good videoYoung Hippo Mistakes Crocodile For A Pillow

feel good videoFootball Star Carries Disabled Young Fan So He Can High-Five The Whole Team

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me