Humans on Loan(b)|借人不借书的『真人图书馆』

Human Libraries got their start because of a brutal stabbing at a nightclub in Copenhagen, Denmark. The victim survived, but his friends were worried about the gaps in understanding between cultures and races. They started Stop the Violence, a youth movement that has 30,000 members in Denmark alone. In 2000, one of Europe's biggest music festivals encouraged the leader of the movement to come up with some anti-violence activities for the visitors. The first Human Library was the result of this partnership.

Human Libraries have spread across the globe. One of the main reasons for their success is that it doesn't cost much to set one up. People who are getting checked out are volunteers, and applying for a membership to an actual library is either free or very cheap. Real libraries are particularly pleased with Human Libraries because more people have visited their facilities as a result.

Australia has taken to the idea of Human Libraries so much that it is now home to the world's first permanent Human Library. On the first Friday of every month since 2006, the organizers have done everything imaginable to develop the concept of Human Libraries so that people can experience different cultures first-hand.

Human Libraries enable ordinary citizens to break down stereotypes, learn interesting facts, and enjoy having conversations with people that are different from them. The goal of all Human Libraries is to contribute to the dialogue between societies and help everyone get along.

1.  Overall, how does the author feel about Human Libraries?

(A) Generally positive.

(B) The author believes that Human Libraries only work in certain societies.

(C) Mostly negative.

(D) The author thinks that Human Libraries may replace regular libraries in the future.

2.  What does the phrase "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" mean?

(A) People should wear comfortable shoes to the library.

(B) Walking together with someone makes a conversation more fun.

(C) Learning about other people's experiences.

(D) Purchasing the best walking shoes money can buy.

3.  What is the cost of establishing a Human Library?

(A) A few thousand dollars to pay the people who are being checked out.

(B) The thing that costs the most is the franchise fee for Human Libraries.

(C) It is usually very expensive to start one.

(D) Next to nothing.

4.  What is NOT an aim of Human Libraries?

(A) To help people learn about new things.

(B) To introduce potential partners to singles.

(C) To help close-minded people open their minds.

(D) To break the ice between groups that aren't around each other a lot.

　真人图书馆源起于丹麦哥本哈根 1 个夜总会里的残忍刺杀事件。被害人存活了下来，但他的朋友们却担忧不同文化和种族间在认知上的隔阂。于是，他们发起了『停止暴力』的青年运动，光是丹麦就有 3 万名会员。2000 年，欧洲其中 1 个最大的音乐节鼓励这项运动的领导人，为观众想出一些反暴力的活动。第 1 座真人图书馆便是这项合作下的产物。

　　真人图书馆现已扩展到全球。它能成功的主要因素之一是建立 1 座真人图书馆并不花什么钱。被借阅的人都是志工，而向实体图书馆申请加入会员不是免费，就是非常便宜。真正的图书馆特别欢迎真人图书馆的加入，因为这样一来会有更多人造访他们的设施。

　　澳洲非常喜欢真人图书馆这点子，现在澳洲拥有世界首座永久的真人图书馆。自 2006 年以来，每个月的第 1 个星期五，组织者竭尽所能发展真人图书馆的概念，以便让人们亲自体验不同的文化。

　　真人图书馆让一般民众打破刻板印象，了解有趣的事件，并享受跟自己不一样的人聊天。所有真人图书馆的目标都是促进不同社会间的对话，以及帮助大家和谐共处。

答案：1. (A)2. (C)3. (D)4. (B)

如何借阅真人书？

1. 填表登记。

2. 图书馆员列有刻板印象清单，协助读者厘清自己可能有的偏见。

3. 只能在活动场地内阅读，可以全家共读，但不能外借。

4. 什么问题都可以问，但必须有礼貌。

5. 如果『书本』觉得受辱，有权终止借阅，回到藏书区。（数据源：联合新闻网）