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11-02-2008

Would you like to borrow a person?

In a living library one can borrow real people and not traditional books. A living library - with its librarian, lending desk and library cards - is still quite similar to a traditional library. 'The books', however, are people belonging to groups, which are usually targets of prejudices and are easily, and most of the time falsely, stereotyped by other people. The loaning of the living book makes it possible for the borrower and the person borrowed to have a conversation, which lasts 20 minutes per loan.

The Living Library is a method introduced by Nordic youngsters, owing to which the interaction between people and the intercultural dialogue between the young is enhanced. The first living library was tested during the Roskilde Festival in Denmark in 2000, and afterwards the idea gained popularity all over Europe. The method has been tested and developed throughout several years. Earlier Living Library experiences have shown that once the tension of the first loan has evaporated, the borrowers are keen to loan the same book all over again, for a longer discussion.

Edited by Tarja Terävä tarja.terava@nifin.helsinki.fi

The Living Library catalogues are available in the Nordic languages here. (Finnish)

European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008