07/05/2026
As with normal libraries, the Human Library consists of readers, librarians, books, and book catalogs. The only difference between this library and the rest is that the books in the Human Library are people like you and us and they engage in a personal dialogue with their readers rather than just “being read”. The starting point of the library is “Do not judge the book by its cover!” and the books in this library are from different segments of society, struggling with prejudices and stereotypes, and with different life experiences.
This year, the Human Library featured “Books” such as a former addict, a male belly dancer, an ethical vegan, the mother of a gay individual, the father of a gay individual, a bisexual individual, a motorcycle courier, a denim labor activist, the mother of a trans woman, an Alzheimer’s nurse, a visually impaired guitarist, an individual with Tourette syndrome, a couple with albinism, and relatives of people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
By bringing together people from diverse social backgrounds, the Human Library aimed to create a space for constructive dialogue. This gathering opened up a space to question the prejudices and stereotypes that form the basis of discrimination.
Books and readers who attended the event shared their experiences as follows:
“Thanks to this event, I had the opportunity to engage in direct and meaningful dialogue on albinism with students who came together with representatives from different disability groups. In each session, I witnessed participants’ curiosity transform into a more concrete awareness, and saw each student become a more conscious listener. This process once again showed me that the most genuine way to build social inclusion and challenge prejudices is through one-to-one human connection.” (Living with Albinism)
“I have been part of this event for three years, but this year, sitting in the reader’s seat was truly a completely different experience for me. I was always involved, but this time, stepping into a ‘book’ and becoming part of that story deeply moved me. Being a guest in each person’s life I listened to sparked a strong curiosity to learn more from every book. Each book—each person—had a unique lived experience. The beginnings of their stories, the unfolding of events, and the outcomes they led to took me to very different places. Every time I walked out of that room, I found myself slightly changed, seeing the world through new perspectives. This event once again proved to me how much one can gain not just by reading, but by truly listening and forming connections.” (Reader)
“It was a wonderful opportunity to listen to life stories from different perspectives. Sitting at the same table with people I wouldn’t normally encounter in my daily life, engaging in conversation, and then being able to ask questions about what I was curious about was the most valuable part of the event. I’m very happy to have participated, and I also received consistently positive feedback from friends who attended for the first time.”(Reader)
We would like to thank all our volunteers who took part in the event, as well as all our books and readers who participated.
