Living Library

The Living Library was born as an experience of intercultural dialogue to get to know realities of life different from one's own. It allows people to experience at first hand the overcoming of prejudice towards the 'different from oneself', contributing to the creation of a more open and dialogue-oriented culture, which does not discriminate against people on the basis of their ethnic origin, religion, beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability condition.
A Living Library works like any library: there are books to borrow, a catalogue of available titles, librarians and a reading room with chairs and tables for consultation, and finally readers. However, books are flesh and blood people who assign themselves a title based on an aspect of their identity, which often leads them to suffer prejudice and discrimination. Each reader can reserve a book of his or her choice from the catalogue for a conversation lasting about half an hour, during which the books tell their life experiences by answering questions posed by the readers.
The first living library experience was set up in 2000 by the Danish association "Stop The Violence" and has since spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world. In 2005 the Council of Europe drew up a Living Library vademecum available to associations and municipal institutions wishing to set up such events in their territory.
In Verona the Living Library is a project organised and implemented by Fondazione San Zeno.

 

living library at school

discover the project involving Veronese high schools on our website.

 

info

For more information visit www.bibliotecavivente.com or contact our offices.

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