VICTORIA (CUP) — A library at the University of Victoria is trying to make a difference by lending humans instead of books.

The human library is an opportunity for a "reader" to put their prejudices to the test, with the chance to have a half-hour conversation with individuals of stereotyped, subjugated, minority or generalized identities. It's a chance to engage with people from varying religions, ethnicities, philosophical perspectives and sexual orientations — or simply with someone who might have a unique and interesting story to share.

The idea has been in the making for about a year. It borrowed inspiration and motivations from the University of Guelph's human library, which took place in March 2009.

"The idea has just mushroomed. You see it happening all over the world now. It's happening in lots of libraries, in lots of Canadian sites," said Victoria Nielsen, adviser to the University of Victoria's librarian on equity and diversity.

Some of the "book titles" available are Polyamoury: Journey of an ethical slut; Lesbian Mother of Three Sons; Is it Nap Time: Narcolepsy; East-meets-West: Born in Malaysia to an Irish mother; Pursuit of Happiness: Former member of the military, now philosophy student; and The Sensitive Fireman.

All are volunteers.

"Prejudices are the more overt portion of this. But I think this event also points out that we have areas of exclusion. There may be people representing certain groups that we may simply exclude from our daily conversation," said Susan Henderson, a spokesperson for the University of Victoria's libraries.

"This is about exclusion and how it works ... maybe you don't go towards this person, or talk to them, some people may just seem to be absent from your life. We often don't feel as if we are acting prejudices out, but we always have that little bit of exclusion, avoidance or sidestepping. It's not so overt, but it's always there in our lives."

Nielsen explained the project is about highlighting the complexity of human identity.

"There are myths to dispel. For those who are in traditional roles such as the military or the police, there are myths to dispel there too," she said. "Just because you have taken that on as your profession doesn't mean that they are without liberal thought, or that your whole lifestyle is based around that identity."

The first human library took place at Roskilde Festival, a music festival in Denmark, focusing on anti-violence. Since then, human libraries have been duplicated all over the world with the local flare relevant to that area.

"We're looking for people who are willing to face their prejudices. We hope for students, staff, faculty, lots of people who may be interested, who have never had a chance to talk to someone from a given community or orientation," said Nielsen.

"There is a certain amount of daring in having a conversation with someone that might challenge your perception of something. You have to ask the open questions. We are expecting the people who are to be a book to be honest; not preachy, just to be honest with who they are. We're looking for a human experience."

Neilsen added that while maintaining a safe space is extremely important, she hopes the questions will be challenging.

"It's a public safe space to have conversations. We're controlling the venue, and not the conversation," she said. Let's ask some challenging questions, and have some honest answers."