The Human Library Botswana, in partnership with the University of Botswana Library, will hold the first human library event in the country this November.
A human library is an innovative approach that provides a safe space for people to challenge their own stereotypes, assumptions, taboos and prejudices. The concept began in Europe where it was known as the Living Library. It was developed by a Danish youth non-governmental organization called Stop the Violence in an effort to counter violence based on discrimination, over 13 years ago and Human library events have been held in countries in more than 70 countries worldwide. The original event was open eight hours a day for four days straight and featured over fifty different titles. Botswana will be the 7th country to host this event in Africa.
The Human Books participating at the event will be volunteers who have self-identified as a “title” based on their race, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, economic status, ability/disability, or by a particular life experience (for example, “Living with HIV”). Readers (the public) will be given an opportunity to browse through the catalogue of books on display. After selecting a book, they will be issued with a library card and given 30 minutes to “study” the chosen human book, after which they will need to follow a checkout procedure. They may decide to renew the loan or select a different book.
This incredible phenomenon is an effort to celebrate diversity and promote equality by deliberately acknowledging differences in lifestyles, ethnicities, faiths, disabilities, abilities and characteristics that may be stigmatized, in the hope it might provoke an assumption or even prejudice in readers. Interesting, thought-provoking and difficult questions are expected, appreciated and discussed.
Attendance is free event and the public is encouraged to come and share in the experience.
Time: 0900hrs – 1300hrs
Enquiries: Contact Mpho E. Pitse at +267 74177337 or email humanlibrarybw@gmail.com