Human Library - Toronto Public Library

Speakers' library

Library users could check out a "human book" for a 30-minute conversation with the goal of exposing readers to people they might not otherwise meet.
Staff writer

It’s the next big thing for book lovers; no, it’s not a new e-reader, it’s an innovative, livelier way to read “books” — no printed pages or electronic gadget required. Recently, the Toronto Public Library went “old school” with its inaugural one-day Human Library program that harkens back to traditions of storytelling.

The program offered face-to-face conversations with a mix of interesting people. Library users could check out a “human book” for a 30-minute conversation with the goal of exposing readers to people they might not otherwise meet.

“This is really reflective of our experience, of our diversity and that people bring all kinds of differences to the city,” says city librarian Jane Pyper. “We all have a tendency to know what we know and be with whom we are familiar with, and this is a way of crossing that ... and being with someone who is different.”

Across several library branches, 60 “human books” from all walks of life came to speak on a wide range of life experiences, from living with a disability to immigrating to Canada.

Cairo-born Gautam Nath was a “human book” who talked to people about his experience with identity and immigration. Nath, the son of an Indian-born diplomat and a Czech-born mother, immigrated to Canada in 2008. “Re-imaging my identity was challenging while I also struggled in a recession-struck job market,” says Nath, who is now Partner at Monsoon Communications, a multicultural advertising agency based in Toronto.

Nath, who also runs several self-help online groups for newcomers, spoke to his “readers” about mixed identities and the challenges of finding your place in the world.

“I was fascinated by the profile of the other ‘human books’ as well as the range of readers who checked us ‘books’ out,” says Nath. “As an immigrant to Canada, it was a lovely opportunity to share my story and have others hear of our journey to Canada, our past life and our aspirations for the future.

“As newcomers to Canada, it also allowed immigrants an opportunity to meet and ‘read’ stories of Canadians from all walks of life.”

The pilot event was a success and the Toronto Public Library is now considering building on the collection in 2011.