Discover our Living Library
On this page you will find information on what Living Libraries are and how you can get involved at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Trust and Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust.
What are Living Libraries?
A Living Library brings people together to share experiences, challenge stereotypes and raise awareness of the lived experience of others. Based on the Human Library movement our Living Library recruits volunteers to act as human books and tell their personal stories, sharing their lived-experiences with staff that choose to “borrow” a human book. It provides a safe space for conversations to support colleagues, share best practice and use the power of personal conversation to positively challenge prejudice or discrimination.
What are the benefits of Living Libraries?
- Creates a safe space to support colleagues
- Provide an opportunity to positively challenge prejudice or discrimination
- Enable staff to come to a better understanding of issues faced by colleagues
- Encourages best practice to be shared when dealing with discrimination and prejudice
- Supports wellbeing
- Supports CPD
How does it work?
You can view the Living Library book titles at our library sites, or here on our web page. Once a reader has chosen which book they would like to borrow, they must accept the terms and conditions of borrowing before they can proceed to request a book.
Library staff will contact the book and reader to arrange a mutually convenient meeting location and time (either in person or on MS Teams).
The book can change category at any time. They can also withdraw themselves at any point. If the book is away or too busy to meet, we will let the reader know and put a reservation in for when the book is available again.
How do I become a book?
To sign up to be a book click the above button and fill in the form with as much detail as possible. We will be in touch.
What type of books are there?
Our books are able to loan themselves out under the following loan types:
- Reference only – can only meet in the library
- Restricted loan – via MS Teams with a librarian present on the call or in the library
- Standard loan - willing to arrange a time and place to meet that suits both parties, with the librarian making initial contact with both the book and reader.
What sort of stories and experiences can I share?
We need books telling your story across a range of life and work experiences. This could be your PRIDE journey, your nurse apprenticeship, or facing challenges such as menopause symptoms or mental health difficulties. Anything you are happy to share.
What guidance is there for books?
Here is the current guidance we have.
- Have some factual information e.g. statistics or data on your subject, have some stories ready to tell, have some props which may help with your subject
- You have limited time to ‘be borrowed’ stick to the time allotted or ask the borrower to renew the loan for another session.
- Try to be honest and open in your session, listen carefully to the questions you are asked.
- Be ready to share your stories, if the questions become difficult then please don’t be afraid to say you are uncomfortable with them.
- Be ready to have to repeat the same information over again as different readers may pose the same questions.
- A good question to start the conversation is ‘Why did you choose my book?’. This may help in discovering what interests them in your subject.
- If you do not understand a question then please ask for clarification, if it is a yes/no answer then why not add in an example of your story.
- A reader may have chosen your title because they need personal advice, please refrain from problem solving, and try to help by simply sharing your story and your experience. Details will also be provided to you on where you can signpost them to for help.
- The content of the story is confidential, so please do not mention people by name.
- If you feel uneasy with a reader, you have the right to end the discussion.
- You can stop being a book and be withdrawn at any time you want.
- Enjoy being a book, it can be very interesting for you and your readers.
How much time do I need to commit?
When someone requests to borrow you, we will contact you to see your availability. The loan period is for 20 minutes. You may withdraw yourself as a book at any time.
Terms and conditions for readers
- The reader must be respectful in their questions and conversation with the human book.
- The reader accepts the fact that the human book can quit the conversation if they feel that the reader is treating them in an inappropriate or disrespectful manner. This behaviour can be reported to HR.
- The loan period is for 20 minutes.
- The reader cannot record, videotape or take pictures of the human book.
- The reader is not allowed to ask the human book for personal contact information. All requests for further contact should be through the library team.
How to be vegan in a non-vegan world: It can be incredibly difficult to be "different", especially when it comes to something as primal as food
My journey as an internationally educated nurse : How an Emergency Department Nurse adapted to life in the UK - an encouraging story of resilience, determination and tenacity towards greatness - all with a culinary flair!
Trials & tribulations : overcoming stress and anxiety - hear about life as a long time carer and the impact on mental health
Living & working in a hearing world : and other diverse adventures : Have you wondered what it is like to live and work in a hearing world when you are deaf? This story is full of positive pro-ability thoughts, you may even be able to converse in Maltese!
From the shadows to the light : the untold story : The Shadows can be quite frightening yet at times comforting, emerging into light takes courage, determination and at times just a little faith..... I chose to start small, I am embracing my fears and would love to light up my world one day at a time
This wasn't the plan: Don't judge a book by its cover, living with two stoma bags does not mean it's 'checkmate'!
A squiggly career as a health professional : making the most of opportunities as a healthcare professional : Hear my story as a healthcare professional through clinical & consultant practice, education, service development, research, coaching and strategic leadership
With one day a week dedicated to a research-focused role at UHD—often spread flexibly across the week—this story demonstrates how accessible a career in clinical research can be, provided one brings perseverance and curiosity. Discover more about professional clinical research, a creative lifestyle and even a chance encounter with a Hollywood actress.
From Bangalore to the Coastal Shore: The story of an internationally educated staff member, sharing their journey and how they overcame the challenges along the way
Becoming Rosie : my journey through gender dysphoria to gender euphoria
In search of daffodils : An inspirational story of the journey from a new international nurse in the UK to a passionate equality, diversity and inclusion lead
Navigating the challenge of transforming an active lifestyle while learning to live with a neurological condition
A working carer story: Step into the inspiring journey of one person's dedication and resilience as they navigate the intricate balance of caregiving and working for over two decades
People often assume that becoming a teenage parent means giving up your dreams, but my experience tells a different story. I want to challenge those stereotypes by sharing how becoming a parent shaped my journey, inspired me to achieve my goals as a counsellor, and why young parents deserve support, not judgment.
'They're and back again' is one person's quest for that feeling of pure joy that is felt when the world sees them as they truly are. Through daily acts of self-creation and playful mixes of gendered expression, they craft a life that finally feels like home.
