Some books available for loan at Douglas College have feelings and, right now, they are excited, nervous and curious.
That's because they're human books being "loaned out" at the Health and Literacy Living Library, set for Feb. 2 at Douglas College's David Lam Campus in Coquitlam.
"We consider them all to be bestsellers," says Debbie Schachter, director of learning resources at Douglas. "Where can you borrow a book for 20 minutes and ask the exact questions you want and know you're going to get an expert response?"
Living Library, which runs from noon to 2 p.m. in the atrium at the Pinetree Way campus, is co-hosted by Coquitlam Public Library (CPL) and includes human books from Douglas, CPL, Fraser Health as well as others.
Rhian Piprell, CPL's director, says this is the sixth time the library has partnered with Douglas College to host a Living Library event "and each time we wonder which of our books will be borrowed and which will languish in the stacks - it is always a surprise."
The "books" are volunteers "who like the idea of face-to-face interactions when so much information today is impersonal and over the internet," said Hazel Postma, associate vice-president of external relations at Douglas College, who brought the concept of Living Library to Canada in 2006.
"Not only that, but borrowing one of our books means you can ask exactly what you want without spending hours trolling through websites or searching library collections," Postma said, adding, "Living Library is about connecting people, sharing experiences and expanding horizons."
Health and literacy are the topics at the Feb. 2 event, with a variety of human books available for borrowing covering such topics as nutrition, speech, language and swallowing, storytelling, ESL, mental health, financial literacy, social media and more.
Library staff at both institutions are enjoying the play on words the Living Library prompts, Schachter said. "Jokes abound: 'Have you been checked out yet? I'm on reserve. I hope I'm not left on the shelf.' Living Library is a fun and engaging way to promote libraries while encouraging connectedness - and we are offering refreshments to our 'books' and their borrowers."
Living Library takes place Thursday, Feb. 2 from noon to 2 p.m. at the David Lam Campus, 1250 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam. Admission is free, everyone is welcome. Parking is available either underground or on Pinetree Way. For information, call 604-777-6173.
