Human Library events provide a unique opportunity for individuals to engage in meaningful conversations and learn from one another's experiences. It is based on the idea of a traditional library, where individuals can "borrow" a "book" in the form of a person and converse with them about their life experiences, beliefs, and points of view. Recently, the Indian Institute of Management Ranchi recently conducted a Human Library event that brought together students, faculty, and members of the community to share their stories and perspectives with one another.
The Human Library concept originated in Denmark in 2000 as a way to promote understanding and tolerance by allowing individuals to borrow "human books" and engage in one-on-one conversations with them. These "books" are people who have lived experiences or identities that may be misunderstood, stigmatized, or underrepresented in mainstream media.
At the Indian Institute of Management Ranchi's Human Library event, participants had the opportunity to "borrow" and engage with individuals who represented a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. Each "book" was given a designated time slot for their conversations. The readers can ask them questions to learn about them and to know the challenges in their lives. The event at IIM Ranchi featured a range of "books," including individuals from different professions, religions, cultures, and more, all eager to share their stories and engage in meaningful conversations with attendees. The event was a success, with over 32 "books" participating from different cultures, religions, and walks of life.
One of the “books” was a student from a tribal community who spoke about their experiences, struggles, and journey to advance in each step of their schooling and jobs. Another was a member of staff who spoke about their own experience with mental illness and the significance of getting assistance and support. One of the "books" at the event was an entrepreneur who talked about the challenges and rewards of starting and running a small business.
The event was organized by the counseling Cell of IIM Ranchi which wanted to create a safe and inclusive space for dialogue and learning. They worked with the college library team and faculty to recruit "human books" and promote the event to the community. Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava,Director, IIM Ranchi, graced the event. He envisioned the idea after researching several models in other nations where this technique is popular, notably in Nordic countries, and wanted to introduce this to IIM Ranchi to establish a more comprehensive model of student growth and development.
The Human Library event at the Indian Institute of Management Ranchi was a resounding success, with many participants reporting that they gained valuable insights and made new connections with people from diverse backgrounds. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of fostering understanding and empathy in our communities and the transformative power of one-on-one conversations.
Overall, the Human Library event at the Indian Institute of Management Ranchi was a meaningful and enriching experience for all who participated. It is a testament to the power of inclusive, open dialogue and the potential for growth and understanding that it can bring. The organizers of the event said that they were thrilled with the turnout and plan to host similar events in the future to promote understanding and acceptance of diversity within the community.
