In my last post, I introduced the idea of using a Human Library as a training event – to either share institutional knowledge or to simply build relationships, communication skills, and understanding between your employees. (Use the link I enclosed if you need a review on the concept and basics of a Human Library.)
With the second (of two total) posts, I’ll resume my idea for the Human Library. Here’s we’ll review scheduling, logistics, communication, administering the event, and post event follow-up.
1) Schedule your event, considering participants (books and readers), promoting your event, and other logistics.
Of course, you’ll want to pick a date that is suitable and relatively convenient – don’t forget to reserve an event space. (We’ll discuss the space for hosting the Human Library in more detail later.)
- If your event focuses on building organizational knowledge, you may work with your organization’s supervisory staff to determine where participants may need to grow. For example, if the participant isn’t working with the MIS staff, there may be minimal need for the participant to “read” book 1. If a participant works in an area that struggles with customer relationships, it may be vitally important for him / her / them to read book 3.
- After your supervisor’s have selected where participants should converse with a human library book, consider how you will notify the “reader” of the event and his / her / their assignment.
- If you event goal is to build relationships, you may want to allow readers to sign up to the topics (books) he / she / they are interested in learning more about. You can use any application or site to allow participants to sign up, or even a simple sign up by posting a piece of paper in a convenient location. Don’t forget to assign a deadline for registration.
- If the event is open for any person in the organization to attend, you might have a variety of options to communicate regarding the learning opportunity. How would you usually announce instructor-led training? That may be an option for your Human Library
One more comment on scheduling – if there are topics that may be sensitive for your “books”, be sure he / she / they will have a chance to step away on occasion, to decompress or collect himself / herself / themselves between guests or readers.
2) There are other logistics you’ll want to consider, too.
Be sure there is adequate space for your event. You will need chairs for your “books” and other participants. Also, be sure there is enough space to separate your books, so other conversations do not spill over or becoming distracting.
Regarding your room setup, you may want to label each “book”, maybe with a sign above his / her / their seat or space. You could also create a map of the room’s layout for participants to reference upon arrival.
You may want to establish ground rules to ensure participants stay on topic. If you’re worried about conversations failing to kick-off your “human books” could prepare a brief statement or introduction, or you could share a few suggested questions with your readers.
Set a time limit – not too long or not too short. Be sure to sound a warning and call for wrap-up a few minutes before the conversation time expires.
Also, be sure you (or other training staff or trusted organizational staff) are available to circulate in the room. You will want to be available to address any participant questions or step-in should there be any question or concern with a book / read conversation.
3) As with any training event, your last step is to take participants’ pulse and collect feedback.
This may be especially important if the event is focused on organizational knowledge. Remember, you should keep the survey simple and maybe focus on a simple rating and a few open-ended questions. Keep the learning goals you established with the “readers” supervisor in mind when you are creating your survey questions.
“During the human library, I learned __________”
“When I return to my work-space and tasks, I can apply the following information that I learned from __________ (insert book’s name here): __________”
“I would like more information regarding the __________ procedure / process __________ (insert book’s name) mentioned during the human library.”
Lastly, check-in with your “book” participants, too. He / she / they may have heard something from a reader, an interesting idea or questions, that you can use to grow your human library and training plans. Of course, you will want to offer your thanks, that he / she / they were willing to share their knowledge and experience to benefit others.
I miss instructor led events and being in the classroom with others and learners. Until then, you could even conduct a smaller library (one book, multiple readers) in one Zoom, Teams, or other virtual meeting format. When the pandemic passes, when social distancing ends, or when you need a relatively simple event to kick-off training, share knowledge, and grow your organization’s training agenda, consider hosting a human library.
