Visitors to the Stanley Milner Library got the rare chance to have a conversation with the collection Saturday.

People, not books, were the focus as volunteers offered their knowledge for the Human Library.

“It was nice just kind of hearing what people do, and their background and life and stuff,” said Rylan Kafara, who came to talk to the volunteers.

The event, a partnership between the library and CBC Edmonton, allowed people to sign up for a one-on-one chats with Edmontonians from diverse backgrounds -- like authors, Aboriginal advocates and immigrants to Canada.

CBC reporter Charles Rusnell played the part of a human book.

He says the experience let people learn about topics they might not otherwise know much about.

“ I think it's a really good idea," he said.

"Those people will tell other people what they've learned and I think it'll help the public to understand how we do journalism and why we do journalism."

The Human Library was hosted in 14 other cities across Canada.