Living Library

The Living Library is a tool that seeks to challenge prejudice and discrimination. It works just like a normal library: visitors can browse the catalogue for the available titles, choose the book they want to read, and borrow it for a limited period of time. After reading, they return the book to the library and, if they want, borrow another. The only difference is that in the Living Library, books are people, and reading consists of a conversation. 

How does the living library work?

There are a lot of different titles in the library that open up topics such as LGBTQ+, the Roma minority, domestic violence, physical disability, sexual abuse, drug addiction, homelessness, religion, prostitution, eating disorders, alcoholism or mental health. Each book has its own librarian who takes care of the smooth running of the workshop and the comfort and safety of the books. For the same reason, the number of readers per book is limited. Readers choose a book based on the annotation, i.e. a shortened version of the story, from which it is clear what the book will tell about. After reading, it is possible to leave a message for the book.

Can we choose the titles of the books we want to hear?

It is possible to choose a book based on the annotations from our library. However, it always depends on the time available for the books.

Where can a living library be held?

Living libraries can be organised in public spaces such as cafes or parks, at festivals, in companies or for school groups.

Credits: https://www.coe.int/en/web/youth/living-library and https://www.brnoforyou.cz/workshop/ziva-knihovna/