Human Library - Episode 01
“One best book is equal to the hundred good friends, but One good friend is equal to a Library”.
First ever Human Library programme at Gurukula College, Kelaniya was conducted successfully with the participation of the fellow members of DBA Alumni of Kelaniya University (DBAAKU) on 27th October 2022. Dr. Dinesh Hamangoda (President of DBAAKU), Dr. Sanath Diwakara, Dr. Nuwan Wimalana, Dr. Nilan Miranda, Dr. Dilanjali Weerathunga, Dr. Chandi Wijessoriya, Dr. ranjan Dissabandara, Dr. Tharaka Punchibandara, and Dr. Anil Munasinghe were present at this historical event as Human Books.
They shared their valuable personal and professional experiences with the students and it was a great learning opportunity for the youngsters. This programme will be conducted on monthly basis with a view to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes of students and to prepare them to face challenges in life. Our sincere gratitude to teachers in charge of the Human Library Programme at Gutukula College and everyone who helped in numerous ways to make this event, a great success.
Now this thought of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam has become an urban thought which is also known as Human Book. In this concept, there are no print textbooks but talking human live books are available. These human books are not being read but these books talk and heard.
The Human Library is, in the true sense of the word, a library of people. In Human Library, readers can borrow human beings serving as open books and have conversations, they would not normally have access to.
Every human book from the respective bookshelf, represent a group in our society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin etc.
In Human Library, Human Books are being identified on various topics and Human Books are willing to share their stories with people. Such Human Books are being put on board by the Human Library. Exchange of ideas takes place in Human Library which is a very good idea to way out stress spreading specially in urban areas. This concept is a big success in big cities and now also being exercised in academic institutions. Human Library motivate people to do some things new. Lot of Human Books are around us and we need to provide them a platform to share their experience
