Human "books" were again available for check out in Ottawa as The Human Library returned to public libraries today.

The event, which began at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at five branches of the library, allowed people to check out a person for a 20-minute conversation.

It is the second year in a row CBC Ottawa and the Ottawa Public Library have partnered to present the event.

Last year's successful event has now evolved into a Canada-wide CBC initiative on Jan. 26 called National Human Library Day, with 22 public libraries and two cultural centres across 15 Canadian cities participating.

The event is an effort to help dispel myths and stereotypes by creating an opportunity for one-on-one conversations between people who may never have met otherwise.

The concept of the Human Library was first launched in Denmark in 2000 as a way to encourage dialogue and build relations.

This year's event, involving 40 human "books", was held at five Ottawa Public Library locations:

• Main Library at 120 Metcalfe St.
• Hazeldean branch at 50 Castlefrank Rd.
• Alta Vista branch at 2516 Alta Vista Dr.
• North Gloucester branch at 2036 Ogilvie Rd.
• Ruth E. Dickinson branch at 100 Malvern Dr.

Listen to stories from some of the human books who were on CBC Radio this week and last week.