Reading Human Books in Denmark

At Denmark’s The Human Library - or the “Menneskebiblioteket” as it is called in Danish - humans that defy social stereotypes are published as open books, where they get to tell tales of their own and share special dialogues with the readers.

All “books” represented by stigmatized groups showed up as volunteers for people to read. “Books” surrender to the agenda of the reader to allow them to control the flow of the conversation.

The idea of the platform is to help readers see that behind the cover of the book, you have more in common than what may appear to separate you from the “book”.

The original event, which opens for four consecutive days for eight hours each day, showcased over fifty unique titles. With a wide range of books to choose from, readers had plenty of options to challenge their stereotypes.

Events take place everywhere, without a set time. You just have to stay tuned with the organizers. The most recent event was hosted on a moving train, which garnered a lot of readers.

The Human Library left librarians, organizers, and readers astonished as over a thousand individuals participated and made a profound impact. Just last year alone, the organization facilitated more than 560 readings

Next time you’re in Denmark, be sure to check out their books on display!