PDF - Don't judge a book by its cover! The Living Library Organiser's Guide 2011 (2011)

The Living Library is an equalities tool that seeks to challenge prejudice and discrimination. It works just like a normal library: visitors can browse the catalogue for the available titles, choose the Book they want to read, and borrow it for a limited period of time. After reading, they return the Book to the library and, if they want, they can borrow another. The only difference is that in the Living Library, Books are people, and reading consists of a conversation.

Originating in Denmark, The Living Library became part of the Council of Europe's programme in 2003 and the driving force behind its inclusion was the realisation that human rights cannot be defended and promoted by legal texts alone. There is - today more than ever in the recent past - a need to raise awareness among the wider public about the importance of human rights to the fabric of our democracies and the responsibility of the individual citizen in realizing abstract human rights in his or her everyday interactions. Through its 40-year history, Council of Europe's youth sector has gathered unique and important experience in the field of non-formal and intercultural education based on the principles of human rights, pluralist democracy, and cultural diversity.

With this publication, the Council of Europe aims to continue its support and promotion of the methodology of the Living Library. We believe that the Living Library remains a uniquely useful tool to foster peaceful coexistence, understanding, and tolerance and to bring people closer together in mutual respect for the human dignity of the individual - whether as books, readers, or organisers.