A Library Where You Can Borrow People Instead of Books

While books offer us a fabulous deep-dive into experiences that we otherwise might not encounter, sometimes only an experience with the real thing can bring the kind of transformational learning we crave. Cue the "Human Library," a global initiative in 80 countries around the world that lets visitors borrow people rather than books.

Headquartered in Copenhagen and housed at a number of libraries in the United States, the Human Library -- or "Menneskebiblioteket" as it is called in Danish -- stages events where difficult topics can be addressed in a safe environment. Each "human book" represents a group that has faced social stigma or prejudice in society -- for example, a homeless person, an alcoholic, or someone who has been abused. The Human Library then encourages participants to "unjudge a book by its cover" by engaging with the volunteer "human book" who is available to share their story and field questions.

One participant in the project said she agreed to be a "human book" because she wants to encourage understanding and empathy in society:

"There [are] rough edges around people, and people form opinions based on what other people say or what the TV news says," she said. "And then you get in front of them, and you're sometimes like a nail file, filing off those rough edges."

Ronni Abergel, who founded the Human Library in 2000 with the aid of his brother and several colleagues, said the organization now has more than 1,000 human books in more than 50 languages, with a particularly strong presence in larger cities like Chicago and San Francisco.

"I had a theory that it could work because the library is one of the few places in our community where everyone is welcome, whether you're rich or poor, homeless or living in a castle, professor or illiterate," he said. "It's truly the most inclusive institution in our time."

When Simon Peter reminds us to "love one another deeply, from the heart" (1 Peter 1:22), how do we incorporate his words in a transformational way into our daily lives? Where do you find it most difficult to love others deeply, and what steps are you taking to change your habits, your heart, your assumptions, your lens? Would it help to seek someone out and spend the time it takes to rewrite your ideologies?

What can we learn from the Human Library -- as individuals and as a church -- as we seek to walk ever-closer to the example Jesus lived for us?

Blessings on your week,

Jennie