FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: April 8, 2009
Contact: Rachel Foyt, Administrative Analyst
Phone: (310) 458-8608
E-mail: rachel.foyt@smgov.net
Santa Monica, California – Living Books share their
perspective on life at Santa Monica Public Library’s second Living Library
Project at the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., on April 18 from 11 a.m. -
4 p.m. A Mormon, an animal rights activist, a police detective, a fat activist, a
feminist, a formerly homeless person, a little person and an ex-gang member are
some of the people who will be available to check out for a 30 minute
conversation. Reservations begin at 10am; checkouts are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This unique event is an opportunity to bring together people
who have special interests, beliefs or experiences to speak with people from
different backgrounds and share their personal story. Books and Readers have
the opportunity to speak in private and personally in a structured, protected,
free space within a limited time but without any further commitment.
Checkouts are for 30 minutes. A Santa Monica Public Library
card is not required. Depending on demand, a Reader can place a hold on a Book
and renew the Book once if there are no holds and the Book agrees. The Reader
must return the Book in the same mental and physical condition as
borrowed. It is forbidden to cause damage to the book, tear out or bend
pages, get food or drink spilled over the book or hurt her or his dignity in
any other way. The Reader is responsible for preserving the condition of
the Book. Once returned they can borrow another Book.
Santa Monica Public
Library was the first organization in the United States to host a Living Library
in October 2008. Participants came from as far away as Japan and
Denmark. Ronni Abergel, the co-founder of the Living Library Project (www.living-library.org) that began in Europe
stated, “Response to the event was overwhelming and the Santa Monica Public
Library did a fantastic job in hosting and organising the event.” Both
Books and Readers reported that they were impressed with the quality of the
conversations and one participant wrote, “Speaking with the homeless advocate
was a revelation--very informative and emotionally profound.”
The Santa Monica Public Library is wheelchair accessible.
For special disabled services, call Library Administration at (310) 458-8606 at
least one week prior to event.
For more information on this and other Library events,
contact the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600; or visit the
Library’s web site at www.smpl.org.
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