Human Libraries in India

Abstract

Library is a place where readers go to study and borrow books which they want to read. They read the way the book is written. A new concept of Human Library emerged in the year 2000 in Roskilde Festival by Copenhagen, Denmark by Ronni Abergel. It is in an attempt to enforce social change and encourage conversation around marginalised communities. The first permanent Human Library was established in Lismore, Australia in 2006 . Human Library is a place where real people are on loan to readers. A place where difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered. The concept is similar to that of a traditional library. If a book is read and discussed or shared among like-minded readers, the Human Library has people engaging in conversations. Like books, participants of the Human Library can be picked from a list to engage in conversations and share stories on a one on one basis. A couple of readers opting for the same living book or even with a group. The Human Library movement has expanded to around 80 countries. In India, it was introduced in Hyderabad, then made its way to Mumbai, before coming to New Delhi. This paper discusses the concept of Human Library in detail. The paper also highlights the major human libraries of India. Human libraries are spreading their arms all over the country, this paper is an attempt to trace the development of Human libraries in cities of India. It also provides an insight that how these library work, how living books are registered, how the events are organized and how funds are raised for the events.