Checking out The Human Library

While most libraries prefer that readers use their quiet voices, we just visited a library in Copenhagen where talking is actually encouraged. Ronni Abergel founded The Human Library (or Menneskebiblioteket ) 26 years ago. To be clear, there are no physical books there; the people are called books. "It's a library where we give out human beings on loan, and they'll be an open book for you and answer any question you have about the topic that they're offering," he said. All the "books" are volunteers. Now you can't leave the premises with the person, but they will answer any questions about their subject matter during the free 30-minute sessions. There are Human Libraries in more than 80 countries, including the U.S. CBS News There are now Human Libraries in more than 80 countries, including six in the United States, with plans for more. Most "readings" take place at public libraries, schools and universities, and on the human library website. Abergel said, "The most popular books are typically books on mental health. Schizophrenia, bipolar, autism, anxiety, depression – all of these topics are almost global bestsellers." My goal in Copenhagen was to check out three "books." On schizophrenia CBS News "A lot of people assume that people with schizophrenia are either dangerous or helpless; that is definitely not the case," said 33-year-old Christian Sarner. He studied quantum physics in college, and was diagnosed with anxiety and schizophrenia 13 years ago. …