Don't judge a book by its cover （环球时报对星辰海真人图书馆的报道）
Star Sea, Beijing's first 'living library' located in Wudaokou, allows people to discover stories not from within the pages of a book, but rather from people themselves.
What can you borrow from a library? Aside from the inevitable answer of books, a "living library" in Beijing offers a whole lot more to its borrowers. Among the attractions for loan are people, though if you're expecting someone to help complete your university essays or lend a helping hand with the housework, you're bound to be disappointed. If instead you're after interesting, meaningful real stories from real people, then you're in luck.
Starting a new chapter
Star Sea is the capital's first and currently only "living library," as its founder Li Xingning describes it. Li, 28, opened the library in northwest Beijing's student hub of Wudaokou on December 24 last year to offer people a place where they could share their experiences in the hope of inspiring more positive contributions in society. The name of the library was inspired by Li's vision that every person is like a star that gives off a modest individual glow in the vast universe. However, she claims, when stars gather together they radiate a brilliant light.
Li works as an architect, although her dream of being a librarian dates back to her childhood. After reading the fictional novel Miss Rumphius about a woman who seeks to make the world a better place, Li was inspired to take action and play her part in a similar quest.
"The story is about an old woman who tells a little girl her story about how she tried to make the world more beautiful," Li explained with a smile.
People at Star Sea share their stories with visitors interested in their endeavors to make the world a better place. The stories all differ, ranging in scale and varying in methods. However, all share a common, inspiring message that little changes can make a big difference.
Checking out a 'living book'
There are two types of "living books" at Star Sea, namely permanent and temporary holdings. Non-members, who are participants at "open all" events, can only "borrow" temporary holdings, or strangers.
Members have an exclusive platform for communication at the official website of Star Sea. Each member represents a "living book," too. A brief introduction about each members' profession and background is presented both on the website and on library shelves. Any member interested in one of these "books" can click the borrowing button online to send a message to the member. Once approved, the member can "borrow" them privately.
Experiencing different lives
Besides being a place where people can share their stories, Li also envisioned her library as a place that gives readers a chance to meet people from different walks of life. She hopes every visitor regards themselves as hosts, rather than guests at the library. The 120-square-meter library exudes a cozy feeling, with tables and chairs adorned with cartoon images, lamps providing soft lighting and blankets in a corner that invitingly encourage people to sit on the floor.
Most of us can only choose one way of living, but meeting different people and learning about their experiences allows us to "take part in, understand and respect others' lives," Li said.
"Our emphasis is still on encouraging meaningful actions that make the world more beautiful," she stressed. Star Sea holds activities most days, with formats and topics varying. Sometimes there is a screening of a short film followed by a group discussion. Other times, a keynote speaker shares their unique experiences and attitude to life with the group.
Most activities are advertised on popular social networking websites, including Douban and Sina Weibo. This attracts a diverse range of participants, including university students, white-collar workers, street performers, entrepreneurs and NGO employees. Most of the time, people are separated from their peers and grouped together with strangers to encourage them to get out of their comfort zone.
"Usually, people hang out with others who have similar lifestyles," said Li. "By grouping participants with strangers, they see the lives of different people who they may have previously had little contact with in the past."
Living libraries around the world
The living library concept first emerged in Denmark in 2000, before spreading across Europe to Hungry, Finland, Iceland and Portugal. In Europe, the focus was primarily on encouraging people to see others often maligned in society, such as refugees, Muslims and the police, in a different, more personal light. In China, living libraries have sprouted up in Shanghai and Chengdu, but Li said what makes Star Sea stand out from others is its focus that goes beyond the people.
"Other living libraries mainly focus on tackling misconceptions surrounding certain groups of people, including AIDS patients, the homeless, and homosexuals," said Li. "But we focus more on the meaning of an event or person's actions, regardless of who did it."
Li added that she wants her library to focus more on ordinary people, who can share extraordinary stories. "I hope our readers can discover the beautiful stories from regular people who we live with in the community."
Sharing stories has its price
While the library claims to offer something for everyone no matter their background, one thing people must have is relatively deep pockets. The fee to join the library is 900 yuan ($142.90) or 1,,800 yuan depending on the type of services and activities people want to access. Additionally, people need to pay several hundred yuan in annual membership fees.
Li defended the fees, saying they were necessary to ensure the library's operation. "We need to pay rent and cover other costs," she said. "It's a two-way street. People who think our activities are worth the cost are glad to pay. They also benefit the most from the library."
Even "open-for-all" activities aren't exactly free. Participants need to donate a book or bring snacks to share with others.
原文链接：http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/690837/Dont-judge-a-book-by-its-cover.aspx
What can you borrow from a library? Aside from the inevitable answer of books, a "living library" in Beijing offers a whole lot more to its borrowers. Among the attractions for loan are people, though if you're expecting someone to help complete your university essays or lend a helping hand with the housework, you're bound to be disappointed. If instead you're after interesting, meaningful real stories from real people, then you're in luck.
Starting a new chapter
Star Sea is the capital's first and currently only "living library," as its founder Li Xingning describes it. Li, 28, opened the library in northwest Beijing's student hub of Wudaokou on December 24 last year to offer people a place where they could share their experiences in the hope of inspiring more positive contributions in society. The name of the library was inspired by Li's vision that every person is like a star that gives off a modest individual glow in the vast universe. However, she claims, when stars gather together they radiate a brilliant light.
Li works as an architect, although her dream of being a librarian dates back to her childhood. After reading the fictional novel Miss Rumphius about a woman who seeks to make the world a better place, Li was inspired to take action and play her part in a similar quest.
"The story is about an old woman who tells a little girl her story about how she tried to make the world more beautiful," Li explained with a smile.
People at Star Sea share their stories with visitors interested in their endeavors to make the world a better place. The stories all differ, ranging in scale and varying in methods. However, all share a common, inspiring message that little changes can make a big difference.
Checking out a 'living book'
There are two types of "living books" at Star Sea, namely permanent and temporary holdings. Non-members, who are participants at "open all" events, can only "borrow" temporary holdings, or strangers.
Members have an exclusive platform for communication at the official website of Star Sea. Each member represents a "living book," too. A brief introduction about each members' profession and background is presented both on the website and on library shelves. Any member interested in one of these "books" can click the borrowing button online to send a message to the member. Once approved, the member can "borrow" them privately.
Experiencing different lives
Besides being a place where people can share their stories, Li also envisioned her library as a place that gives readers a chance to meet people from different walks of life. She hopes every visitor regards themselves as hosts, rather than guests at the library. The 120-square-meter library exudes a cozy feeling, with tables and chairs adorned with cartoon images, lamps providing soft lighting and blankets in a corner that invitingly encourage people to sit on the floor.
Most of us can only choose one way of living, but meeting different people and learning about their experiences allows us to "take part in, understand and respect others' lives," Li said.
"Our emphasis is still on encouraging meaningful actions that make the world more beautiful," she stressed. Star Sea holds activities most days, with formats and topics varying. Sometimes there is a screening of a short film followed by a group discussion. Other times, a keynote speaker shares their unique experiences and attitude to life with the group.
Most activities are advertised on popular social networking websites, including Douban and Sina Weibo. This attracts a diverse range of participants, including university students, white-collar workers, street performers, entrepreneurs and NGO employees. Most of the time, people are separated from their peers and grouped together with strangers to encourage them to get out of their comfort zone.
"Usually, people hang out with others who have similar lifestyles," said Li. "By grouping participants with strangers, they see the lives of different people who they may have previously had little contact with in the past."
Living libraries around the world
The living library concept first emerged in Denmark in 2000, before spreading across Europe to Hungry, Finland, Iceland and Portugal. In Europe, the focus was primarily on encouraging people to see others often maligned in society, such as refugees, Muslims and the police, in a different, more personal light. In China, living libraries have sprouted up in Shanghai and Chengdu, but Li said what makes Star Sea stand out from others is its focus that goes beyond the people.
"Other living libraries mainly focus on tackling misconceptions surrounding certain groups of people, including AIDS patients, the homeless, and homosexuals," said Li. "But we focus more on the meaning of an event or person's actions, regardless of who did it."
Li added that she wants her library to focus more on ordinary people, who can share extraordinary stories. "I hope our readers can discover the beautiful stories from regular people who we live with in the community."
Sharing stories has its price
While the library claims to offer something for everyone no matter their background, one thing people must have is relatively deep pockets. The fee to join the library is 900 yuan ($142.90) or 1,,800 yuan depending on the type of services and activities people want to access. Additionally, people need to pay several hundred yuan in annual membership fees.
Li defended the fees, saying they were necessary to ensure the library's operation. "We need to pay rent and cover other costs," she said. "It's a two-way street. People who think our activities are worth the cost are glad to pay. They also benefit the most from the library."
Even "open-for-all" activities aren't exactly free. Participants need to donate a book or bring snacks to share with others.
原文链接：http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/690837/Dont-judge-a-book-by-its-cover.aspx
