A Library Can Help Remove Bias and Prejudice in the Community

Human library as a concept for your makerspace? Here are some information about this kind of library and what can be achieved by organizing something like it.

We are not Alone In This Advocacy

The Human Library Project is actually a world-wide advocacy made up of various organizations. So, check out what has been done and what the future holds for this project at www.humanlibrary.org.

What is a Human Library

It is a safe space for interesting characters and those interested in them to learn and interact. Simply put, readers read a person rather than a book. Thus, a reader initiates the question and answer session under the watchful eye of a marshall, who monitors the interaction to ensure the human book’s safety and security.

What is the Goal of a Human Library?

It transforms a book library into a safe place for healthy discussion about controversial topics with the ultimate goal of unjudging someone. Readers can read more than one book per session, depending on the availability of marshalls and organizers.

Who Qualifies as a Human Book?

A person who has a unique experience in a particularly controversial scenario can quality. Then, the organizers can contact this person for his consent to join. For example, someone who is a victim of unfair judgment, who might have been misunderstood by society, and who wants to express feelings can qualify as a book.

How to plan for a Human Library?

Come up with project description/rationale. Consider the followingTarget audience? The invited readers need to be interested in what the human book has to say.

Learning outcome? The learning or lessons need to translate into related projects in the future. For example, after reading a human rights activist, the reader creates artworks about the said project in a related activity. Therefore, the lesson has an output.

Budget? Source of funds? Possible sponsors can be bookshops, novelty items, food vendors, non-government organizations, individuals, philantropists, etc.

Project flow? Chronological order is important for logistics.

Collaborating agencies? These can be sponsors or organizers.

Limitations? How ‘free’ is free speech? Should some topics really and truly be taboo? But, at what point should a marshall stop the “reading” because of the potentially volatile interaction that could occur due to the questions asked or reactions of the human book and reader to each other.

Should there be pre-determined “chapters” that the human book can talk about? If there are, then these chapters delimit the scope of what the human book can talk about.

Library Management Brainstorming: Get Patrons Involved

Brainstorming is a dynamic and flexible tool that can be applied to library management. By engaging a diverse group of stakeholders in the brainstorming process, libraries can tap into a wealth of ideas that pave the way for innovative services, enhanced user experience, and efficient operations. The structured approach to brainstorming, from idea generation to selection, ensures that libraries can systematically explore and implement solutions that meet the evolving needs of their communities. Through continuous innovation and adaptability, libraries can remain vital centers for learning, creativity, and community engagement. Librarians don't need to do it alone. After all, patrons are also the ones who would benefit from improvements in the library. Hence, tapping them for ideas is a good call. Topics for Library Management Brainstorming Improving User Engagement: A library looking to increase patron visits might brainstorm ideas leading to initiatives like a community bo...

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Special Library Strengths

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Two Life Hacks for Quick and Deliberate Learning

Life in the 21st century is fast and furious, mainly because information comes fast and is replaced by another piece of information in the blink of an eye. There are so many things to learn, but so little time to learn them. Even if you're lazy, you can't help but learn something just by watching a video or viewing an ad. Being overwhelmed by all of the knowledge swirling around us can be considered normal now. Deliberate Learning Choosing the topic you want to learn at any given time is the best thing to do in this information maelstrom. We have limited energy for work and play and then we fall asleep. Instead of squandering the time passively learning things you don't necessarily want to learn, such as when you read memes or scroll through Facebook and inadvertently stumble on gossip, be deliberate in your learning habits.

Ruby Galvez, RL

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