Living library
The Living Library ( Living Library ) is a special type of event that serves the oral communication. A living library is organized in the form of a lending library .
Readers borrow a medium , occupy themselves with it for a period of time, and finally bring it back. However, the media in the Living Library are not the typical information carriers of a library, but rather people who are available for a conversation. The “Living Books” belong to groups of people who are confronted with prejudice , stereotyping and social exclusion .
The “borrower” has the opportunity to speak to people with whom he or she would otherwise not or would only enter into a dialogue with difficulty. There are often prejudices against different groups of people that can be questioned by the Living Library . The Living Library invites you to form your own image of the other person in the form of a dialogue . Existing prejudices should be countered and given the opportunity to obtain personal information.
history
The idea of the Living Library can be traced back to the Danish youth initiative Stop the Violence . Stop the Violence ceased its active activities in 2001 after 8 years of existence and had 7000 members at times, mostly between 12 and 18 years of age. The aim of the initiative was the participation of young people in the active prevention of violence and prejudice.
Living Library was first organized and successfully carried out by Stop the Violence in 2000 at the music festival in Roskilde , Denmark . Numerous festivals followed, in which the Living Library was an integral part, until the concept was further developed, more widely advertised and promoted in 2003 as part of the Youth promoting human rights and social cohesion program sponsored by the Council of Europe .
Originally a typical "small event within a large event", numerous organizations in Europe and beyond have recognized and adapted the possibilities and perspectives of the Living Library concept . “Living books” can still be found at music festivals, as well as at book fairs, schools , youth congresses and increasingly also in libraries.
aims
Living Library enables direct communication between people who for various reasons have little opportunity for an individual dialogue. This very general approach in particular offers a multitude of possibilities for its use in different contexts. The basic concept can be outlined with the motto "A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet" known from the international anti-racism movement.
Living Library offers a way to encourage people to have a personal conversation. Especially in connection with the work with children and adolescents, it is an important tool to take away the shyness and fear of contact with “strangers”, especially those who are part of a society's statistical minorities . The open interaction with the most diverse people in a diverse society can thus be promoted and a fundamental awareness of tolerance and human rights can be created.
Depending on the characteristics and objectives, there are numerous learning fields that can be covered by a living library . From the knowledge gained by both the “borrower” and the “living book” to the acquisition of social skills in dealing with “strangers”, regardless of the respective culture .
requirements
The Living Library requires a protected space that allows for the most undisturbed conversation possible between the borrower and the “Living Book”. There should be rules that provide a framework for mutual respect. Any existing communication barriers are lowered by the type of event. The risk for the borrower and for the “living book” to engage in such an open discussion situation is manageable. Providing the appropriate space is the responsible task of the librarians of a living library .
swell
- Abergel, Ronni; Rothemund, Antje; Titley, Gavan; Wootsch, Peter (2005): Don't judge a book by its cover! The Living Library Organizer's Guide. Budapest: Council of Europe Publishing. The brochure can be ordered in several languages at book.coe.int
- Detlefs, Beate (2006): Living books. A new dimension in lending? In: BuB, Vol. 58, H. 1, pp. 19-20.
- Schachner, Niko (2007): Living books in the library: Implementation of a “Living Library” project and the importance of the concept for library work. Diploma thesis for obtaining the degree of Diplom-Librarian (FH), University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, Department of Information Sciences, Library. Living books in the library. Retrieved September 7, 2012 .
- DNK (2007): Don't judge a book by its appearance! The Living Library - a handout. Authors: Ronni Abergel, Antje Rothemund, Gavan Titley, Péter Wootsch (English original "Don't judge a book by its cover" Council of Europe, 2005). The brochure can be ordered at dnk (at) dbjr.de.