Living Libraries America open to readers soon.

For some its been a long wait and for others it will be a pleasant surprise, when the first official Human Library takes place this coming Saturday at Santa Monica Public Library. At noon the first Living Book will go out with a reader and before the day is over, we will get our first impressions of Californians eagerness to talk. 

The Human Library is organised by the staff at Santa Monica Public Library as an extended community service to the patrons of the Library. Chief Librarian Greg Mullen says of the event: "Santa Monica Public Library is proud to host this innovative and unique event that will allow the community to come together to learn more about each other".

From 12-4 p.m. the shelves of the Santa Monica Main Public Library will be full of people. A Buddhist, a teenager, a nudist and a raw foodist are just a few of the people who will be available to check out for a conversation at the Santa Monica Public Library’s first Human Library.  The Human 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 serve as “Living Books” who are willing to share their personal life story with a “Reader”.  It is 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 have 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 can borrow another Book.

Checkouts are for 30 minutes. A Santa Monica Public Library card is not required. Depending on demand, a Reader can place a hold on a Book and renew the Book once if there are 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.

The Santa Monica Public Library is wheelchair accessible. For special disabled services, call Library Administration at (310) 458-8606 at least one week prior to event.  For more information on this and other Library events, contact the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600; or visit the Library’s web site at www.smpl.org.

Also present at the event is Human Library creator and organisation founder, Ronni Abergel.

The Los Angeles Human Library launch will be followed by a Human Library at Kitsap Regional Library on Bainbridge Island outside Seattle, Washington, to take place on October 25th. Read more about the upcoming EVENT.