A systematic review of literature on human libraries: Objectives, benefits, and challenges

Abstract

This systematic review aims to collect and review, systematically the literature on human libraries to identify the purpose of managing human libraries, their benefits, and barriers. Another purpose of the study was to assess the quality level of studies conducted on human libraries. The study collected and screened the literature on the topic in the light of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The authors identified 1764 studies by searching five reputed databases and found 24 studies eligible for this review. The research employed Boynton and Greenhalgh (2004) guidelines to assess the quality of the reviewed literature. The study found that the major objective of human libraries is to share knowledge, arrange to get together opportunities, promote understanding and respect different cultures. Moreover, human libraries aim to combat prejudice and bridge differences through social dialog. The study also shares the barriers and benefits of managing human libraries. This is the first review in terms of its nature that collected and reviewed the literature on human libraries systematically. The review may facilitate library professionals to understand and implement the concept in libraries that can prove a game-changer for libraries when their (libraries) existence is being questioned in this digital era.