On October 18 from 12-4pm, books became people in the Living Library on the shelves of the Santa Monica Public Library. A Buddhist,
a teenager, a nudist and a raw foodist are just a few of the people who were available to check out
for a 30 minute conversation at the Santa Monica Public Library’s first Living Library. The Living Library idea is simple – a personal
conversation can break down prejudices and pre-conceptions and dialogue fosters understanding and tolerance.
During this unique event a group of volunteers served as “Living Books” who were willing to share their personal life story with
a “Reader”. It was an opportunity to bring together people who have special interests, beliefs or experiences to speak with people from
different backgrounds to share their personal story. Books and Readers had the opportunity to speak in private and personally in a
structured, protected, free space within a limited time but without any further commitment. Once returned they could borrow another Book.
Checkouts were for 30 minutes. Depending on demand a Reader could place a hold on a Book and renew the Book once if there were no holds and
the Book agrees. The Reader must return the Book in the same mental and physical condition as borrowed. It is forbidden to
cause damage to the book, tear out or bend pages, get food or drink spilled over the book or hurt her or his dignity in any other way.
The Reader is responsible for preserving the condition of the Book.
Santa Monica Public Library was the first in a wave of libraries across the United States to host a Living Library. The Living Library
Project was first presented in 2000 to the public in Denmark at the Roskilde Festival. Since then, it has been adopted by organizations
in Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Norway, and Portugal. For more information on The Living Library Project visit
www.living-library.org.
For more information on their project, contact Rachel Foyt at the Santa Monica Public Library.
