What is the Human Library?

On Jan. 26, National Human Library Day invites Canadians to interact with people they might not otherwise meet.

In partnership with CBC, local libraries and cultural centres in 15 cities across the country have asked volunteers with a wide range of experiences to act as human “books” and make themselves available for one-on-one conversations about their lives.

On the same day, CBCNews.ca will host a live event online and keep the conversation going on Twitter using the hashtag #CBCHumanLibrary.

The first Human Library was held in 2000 at the Roskilde Festival, a large North European culture and music festival, by a non-governmental youth movement in Copenhagen. Since then Human Library events have been held in 27 countries.

CBC is the first broadcaster to be involved as a national media partner.