Everyone gotta story to tell
December 3, 2008 7:21 AM   Subscribe

First libraries started loaning records, then toys, then films and games - now they're loaning out people. The Living Library Project allows members to hear people's stories not on the page, but in person.
posted by mippy (16 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
I shudder to think of the overdue fees.
posted by Joe Beese at 7:30 AM on December 3, 2008


I can't decide if this is awesome or if it's sad that people have to be made into "products" before anyone will listen to them. Probably mostly awesome.
posted by DU at 7:30 AM on December 3, 2008


What about the smells!?
posted by doctorschlock at 7:44 AM on December 3, 2008


Patron: Do you have any books on suicide?
Librarian: Get lost. You won't bring it back.
posted by netbros at 8:02 AM on December 3, 2008


You forgot about cake pans. (shameless MeTa self-link)

What I really like about this idea is that it offers the opportunity to strip away all of the social taboos on directly addressing the most obvious features of a person. You generally can't (and shouldn't) ask a stranger in the street about their attire, their beliefs, their disability, etc. This could be a safe environment to ask the sorts of questions that you really want the answers to but can never ask out of politeness and fear.

Also, just a warning: as soon as you post a MeTa on libraries, jessamyn will start referring to you as Meflibrarian, whether you are one or not.
posted by Deathalicious at 8:07 AM on December 3, 2008 [1 favorite]


Quakers have been doing this for a while - at the Meeting House near me they have a Human Library, and you can book a Quaker for half an hour on Sunday afternoons. They even have a catologue, so you can pick a skeptic Quaker, or a Quaker who writes poetry, or whatever (I've been meaning to ask if they have a non-theist Quaker I could borrow).
posted by jack_mo at 8:16 AM on December 3, 2008


This could be a safe environment to ask....questions...

This is what made me back away from the "products" thing I mentioned. The human books are there not because else no one would listen. They are there because else people are too inhibited.

I'd like to see this concept expanded, though. Like, I'd like to check out a machinist for an hour to tell me about how to solve a particular construction problem or whatever. Check out a baker to help me figure out why my sourdough starter never works. The kind of thing where, if you were taking a class, you'd ask the teacher or if you had a qualified friend, you'd ask them.
posted by DU at 8:23 AM on December 3, 2008


Often, people have never spoken to a Muslim before.

Wow.

And to think that some people think that this is how the United States should be.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 8:27 AM on December 3, 2008 [1 favorite]


I think the Muslim woman must have a valuable contribution - firstly as a Muslim in an area that clearly has few (the reactions she describes demonstrate a lack of understanding) and secondly as a convert. I'm agnostic but I find stories of faith really interesting, perhaps because I can't understand them on a personal level.

(I used to work in a library. As a shelf stacker. OK, in the information science foodchain that's probably somewhere round the bivalve, but at least I know my Dewey decimals. Enough to get annoyed by themed shelving, anyway. )
posted by mippy at 8:30 AM on December 3, 2008


Check out a baker to help me figure out why my sourdough starter never works.

Have you tried the internets?

I know, I know... but it seems like if you're going to ask for their job skills, rather than their personal experiences, they might want to get paid.

I don't know what you do for a living, but I know that I certainly wouldn't want to spend extra hours teaching people how to use their home espresso machines or explaining what a latte is, for free.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 8:33 AM on December 3, 2008


"Ouch!! Ooh!! Ow!!"

"Hold still, Murray! If the staples come lose on this card pocket, no one will remember when you're due back!"
posted by ericbop at 9:02 AM on December 3, 2008 [1 favorite]


I would be more than happy to help people with specific questions in my areas of expertise. I'm not talking about a class or anything. I'm at the library a lot anyway--if the checkout system can accomodate the times I'm there, why *not* also wear a card that says I can questions about $X?
posted by DU at 9:03 AM on December 3, 2008


This is a good idea, but they really need to enlarge the slot for after-hours drop offs. Poor Mrs. MacArthur made it through with a minimal amount of creasing and damage to the spine, but danged if I could get her walking frame through that thing.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 10:02 AM on December 3, 2008


I know that I certainly wouldn't want to spend extra hours teaching people how to use their home espresso machines or explaining what a latte is, for free.

You may have misunderstood what a library is.
posted by hifiparasol at 4:45 PM on December 3, 2008


I know someone who participated in the Living Library, and she wrote about it (part 1, part 2, and part 3.)

Her title was "Fat Person." I bet you can guess what her story was about :)
posted by peggynature at 8:25 AM on December 4, 2008


If they come back stained with urine or semen or if they've been chewed on by people or animals, there will be hefty fines involved. Also, do not return them in the book drop.
posted by Halloween Jack at 11:12 AM on December 4, 2008


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