A library card is your free pass to improved empathy
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You can read heaps of statistics, studies, and research to explain people’s politics, psychology, and behaviour. But to truly understand someone’s experience, you have to hear their story. You have to – if only for a few moments – step into their shoes.
Today, despite seemingly being more connected than ever through the internet, political polarisation is on the rise, our divides feel louder, and our attention spans are being harmed by addictive algorithms. We don’t need any new ideas or technology to help bridge divides and rebuild our attention spans. We can start by going to the library, stepping into the fiction section, and reading a novel.
It might feel almost silly – what could a fantasy, romance, mystery, or even a potentially stuffy classic teach you? Of course, books can improve our vocabulary, knowledge, and writing skills; but they also teach something far less measurable: empathy.
In fiction, we have access to a character’s internal world and watch their development from the outside, something we can’t even do with ourselves. A study by psychologist Diana Tamir at Princeton Social Neuroscience Lab found that people who read often have better social cognition. Another study found that fiction readers specifically possess stronger social-cognitive abilities than both non-readers and non-fiction readers. People who regularly read novels seem to be better at reading other people’s emotions. Historically, societies that were both literate and produced psychologically rich literature have tended to function less violently than less literate societies.
Do the types of books matter? I think so. Different genres lean into particular themes and character archetypes, shaped by the authors behind them. Adventure explores how far you can go, thrillers get inside your head, and romance asks you to be vulnerable. Venturing outside of your comfort zone to explore different genres than you usually would allows you to potentially expand where you look for books, or simply help you discover what you enjoy reading.
Book, however, can be pricey, especially for students on a budget. Luckily, books at public libraries are free. All it takes is signing up for a card, which is also free. Using the library puts less pressure on choosing the “perfect” book. You are free to explore without worrying about wasting a penny, and you can even return a book without finishing it. Library staff will not know, nor will they care; discovering that a book isn’t for you is still worthwhile – it simply means it’s time to find something new.
If you’re keen to build stronger human connections or unsure what to read next, don’t hesitate to ask a librarian. They’re trained to help you find exactly what you might be looking for.
A physical book also offers a unique opportunity to unplug and strengthen your attention span. When you hold a physical book, it demands your attention – there isn’t multiple screens or multitasking involved. Social media apps are designed to suck us in and keep us scrolling. Books on the other hand, aren’t programmed like addictive slot machines, and don’t put that pesky blue light in front of your eyes. Research suggests that reading before bed, especially instead of using your phone, can improve sleep quality. Better sleep leaves us more refreshed, making it easier to connect with others, listen more attentively, and remain patient in difficult moments.
Not only can fiction be entertaining and fun, it can also help us understand each other more, and show up for each other better. If understanding your neighbour isn’t a waste of time, then reading fiction isn’t either.
“Through the process of imagining with clarity and sophistication what it’s like to be someone else, we both learn what it’s like to be ourselves, but we also learn what it’s like to be one of the 8 billion other people on this planet.” – John Green
