InfoSpeak Volume 1, Number 2:
They call it the Living Library
Length: 18 minutes
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Topics discussed:
- Common ground between chicken farmers and animal rights activists
- Link between The Living Library and The September Project
- Could it work here?
Links to Topics from this Show:
They call it the Living Library
At the public library in southern Sweden's third largest city, Malmö, a patron can check out a human being for a 45 minute chat. Is this nuts?
Infospeak talks to Ulla Brohed at the renowned Malmö library, one of her last media interviews before her recent retirement. We follow up with expert opinions from two leading professionals in the academic and public library world, Nancy Huling heading the Reference and Research Services Division of the University of Washington's Suzzallo and Allen Libraries, and Deborah Jacobs, City librarian in charge of the Seattle Public library system. Finally, Infospeak's reporter in the field, Deanna Sukkar, goes to the vibrant Pike Place market in Seattle Washington, USA, to hear what shoppers have to say about the Living Library.
We cannot learn real patience and tolerance from a guru or a friend. They can be practiced only when we come in contact with someone who creates unpleasant experiences... ~ The Dalai Lama
Our Guests
- Ulla Brohed, Malmö Library, Sweden
- Nancy Huling, University of Washington Libraries
- Deborah Jacobs, Seattle Public Library
Malmö Library
Ulla Brohed, Malmö Library
Ulla Brohed has been PR-librarian at Malmo City Library nearly all her working life. She took a break when she was head of the Count Library for a couple of years. She is active in a special group in the Swedish library association which deals with marketing and PR. Ulla and her colleague Catharina Norèn read in a paper about the project Living Library which had taken place in a Danish library and were thrilled by the idea. A Muslim woman, a lesbian, a homeless, an ex-convict, an animal activist, an imam and five others - all of them were borrowed by interested visitors and the project was a great success.
University of Washington Libraries
Nancy Huling, University of Washington Libraries
From Nancy's staff page: "Nancy Huling is Head, Reference and Research Services Division, Suzzallo and Allen Libraries. Departments and collections within the Division include Government Publications, Information Services, Microform and Newspaper Collections, Reference, Curriculum Materials, Children's Literature, and Grants and Funding Information Service. Nancy serves as the Libraries' liaison to the Information School, with responsibility for selecting materials for the collections, offering research consultations, and instructing students in research methods."
Seattle Public Library
Deborah Jacobs, Seattle Public Library
Deborah Jacobs began her career as a rural children's librarian 29 years ago. Her other positions have included bookmobile services, general reference, head of branch libraries, as well as serving as an adjunct professor teaching public library advocacy at the graduate school. For the past 17 years she has been a library director, spending eight years as City Librarian for the Seattle Public Library. It is Deborah's passionate belief that a strong community and a thriving democracy demand vibrant public libraries. During her time in Seattle she has lead the system in building the highly awarded and regarded Central Library designed by Rem Koolhaas, as well as 27 new neighborhood libraries, in addition to passing a $196.4 million bond measure and raising $83 million in private funds. She has received many awards during her career including Library Journal "Librarian of the Year" in 1994, Governing Magazine's "Public Official of the Year" in 2001, one of Seattle Magazine's 25 Most Influential People of 2004, and the Seattle Architectural Foundation's "Shaping Community: the A. O. Bumgardner Award" 2005.
Places Visited in the Show
"The Calendar of Light"
The Malmö Library
"One of the most intriguing buildings in Malmö is situated in Slottsparken.The library consists of two buildings, one older and one newer, that are linked to each other. The new part, which is called the 'Calendar of Light' was designed by the notable Danish architect Henning Larsen and opened in 1997. The older section of the library dates from 1899 and was designed by architects John Smedberg and Fredrik Sundbärg." (Source)
Seattle, Washington
Seattle Public Library
Interesting facts and figures about the Seattle Public Library, Central Branch.
University of Washington, Seattle
Suzzallo Library
More information about Suzzallo library