Description: It is the methodology of the Human Library (where people are available to tell their story instead of a book) but applied to a specific theme, in this case the stories of a neighbourhood and the changes it has gone through over the years. In particular, in this version of the Human Library, the organisers prepare cards with a story about this specific neighbourhood, told from the perspective of the person who will be present in the Human Library. In this card, the narrator gives an overview of the people's stories available. Examples: a businessman who has lived in the neighbourhood for years, a teacher teaching in a school in the neighbourhood, a long-time resident (perhaps someone who has faced and overcome difficulties, provided the person is willing to share), a member of staff at the neighbourhood community/employment centre, etc. A human library can be organised and run in parallel with other community building activities, as part of a festival, a workshop or even as a stand-alone activity.
*This is an activity that can benefit people working in socio-economically disadvantaged communities as well as people living in areas around these communities.
Type of activity: Human Library-Neighborhood stories
Setting: Outdoors in a public space in the neighbourhood/Indoor in a community centre or a school
The organisers of the activity should prepare the space in advance with separate tables and some chairs around (for example 3 tables with 4-5 chairs around). In addition, organisers need to choose the humans who will be “the books” contact them and explain their role and the expectations in addition to writing down some notes of the story these individuals will be sharing.
The day that the human library will be implemented, make sure you give participants a heads up about the times the human library will be available. Make sure you inform your humans narrating their stories how much they will have available (no more than 10-15 minutes per turn).
When your participants arrive (depending on the number) have them take a look at the cards with a short review of the stories that will be told (if you decide to make these cards) to decide which table/tables they would like to join. In that way, you can assign participants to each table and get started.
Every time the narration starts you need to keep the time and when the narration ends you should ask participants to switch tables. You can allocate some time for questions so that participants have the opportunity to further interact with the person telling their story.
This activity requires good preparation. Please make sure both narrators and participants are respectful towards each other.
It is important to remind everyone about the time (because it can get really tiring for the people telling their story).
Inform everyone in advance that there will be questions involved to encourage communication and exchange of experiences.
Debriefing questions/Follow-up discussion questions
You might want to follow up with the community members who were your “human” books and get their feedback on what went well and what needs improvement. Same goes for the participants. Ask for feedback so that in the future you can adjust the human library based on themes/topics that will be of interest to the people working and/or living in the neighbourhood/community you are implementing the activity.
