Library brings books to life

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to live in Iran, to spend life in a wheelchair or be a big wave surfer, you might get some answers at Southern Cross University’s Living Library.

This innovative program will be a feature of the Multicultural Festival at the Coffs Harbour campus running from September 1 to 3.

The Living Library, on September 3, will feature 17 ‘books’ – all people who can be borrowed to give an insight into their lives.

One of the books, a ‘Graffiti Artist’, will be explaining how graffiti art has led to a career as an artist exhibiting in galleries and hosting workshops.

“I’m really honoured to be invited to take part in this Living Library. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about graffiti artists. This is a great opportunity to address some of those misconceptions and hopefully change peoples’ attitudes,” the artist said.

Among the other ‘books’ will be: an Indigenous woman; a Sikh student; a woman from Sierra Leone; a Tree Changer and a former Fleet Street tabloid journalist and press manager for the English Football League.

Sue Pratten, from Southern Cross University’s Office of Regional Engagement, said the Living Library was a way of increasing understanding of different ways of life, different cultures and different religions.

“Visitors can ‘borrow’ a book for half an hour conversation and get an insight into that person’s way of life. It’s a way of getting to know about people that you might not otherwise get the chance to meet,” Ms Pratten said.

“This year we have some fabulous ‘books’ with some really diverse stories.”

The Living Library is open to all members of the public and is part of a Multicultural Festival which will include cultural workshops, a multifaith display, entertainment and drumming workshop and an evening concert.

The world wide phenomenon of the Living Library originated from a Danish anti-racism project that aimed to give people the chance to sit down and talk to people from different walks of life in a safe environment.

NSW has championed the Living Library concept in Australia, with the first Australian version being successfully launched in Lismore in 2006.

The event will be held from 10am to 3pm, Thursday, September 3, in the Sacred Garden at the Coffs Harbour campus. Anyone interested in attending the ‘Living Library’ can contact Sue Pratten by email at sue.pratten@scu.edu.au or you can reserve a timeslot to read a book on the day by calling the CHEC library on 66593232.

Photo: A graffiti artist will be among the 'books' on offer at the Living Library.