There is a lack of tolerance, critical thinking, respect for human rights and mutual understanding among different social groups in Lithuania. It is accurately indicated by the Eurobarometer and national public opinion polls. There are widespread prejudices and stereotypical thinking concerning socially vulnerable groups such as immigrants, refugees, LGBT community, people with disabilities, other. Prejudices and stereotypical thinking are causing various challenges: violence, hate crimes, mobbing, increased vulnerability and victimization. National Institute for Social Integration suggests that informal Human Rights education method “Living Library” can contribute towards solution of these problems.

Living Library is comprised of Living Books, Librarians and Readers. Living Books are people from various socially vulnerable groups (e.g. immigrants and refugees). These are the people who often experience discrimination and prejudices. A librarian is the first person who meets a Reader. The librarian is a trained person. He/She is responsible for preparing the audience for the reading process. The reader can be anyone – a trespasser, participant or the targeted audience – depending on the event type and how the Living Library is organised (in the festival, part of other event or stand alone event). The process of reading involves sincere conversation between the Living Book and the Reader. The Reader is asking inconvenient questions and getting straight answers. The reading process becomes a comfortable and interactive place for personal communication with people from a socially vulnerable groups. The reading session takes approximately 15-25 minutes.

Results of Living Library activity in 2011:

• 38 Living Library events were organised. Living Library has been held in 27 schools all over Lithuania: Moltai, Ignalina, Anykš iai, Rokiškis, Šiauliai, Ma~eikiai, Nida, Palanga, Klaipda, Kaunas, Panev~ys, Joniškis, Prienai, Jonava, Rietavas, Taurag, Šilal, Širvintos, Ukmerg, Kazls Rkda, Vilkaviškis, Jurbarkas, Šakiai, Vilnius (4 schools).
• On two occassions the Living Library was held in Vilnius University – Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Communications.
• On four occassions Living Library has been held in the city centres as a stand alone event: Kdainiai, Jonava, Bir~ai, Telšiai.
• On four occassions Living Library took part in festivals:"Let It Be the Night“, "Street Music Day“ , "Galapagai - Rock Nights“ and "1st of September celebration in Vingis Park”.
• One Living Library has been organized in Latvia, the city of Daugavgpils (the first Living Library in Latvia). There are more than 240 volunteers – Books and Librarians in the "Living Library“ network.
• 2200 persons have directly participated in the Living Library event as Readers.

Non-formal evaluation  by the Readers. Usually the result of the Reading is obvious: the reader leaves the event thoughtful, positive and energized. The process of Reading demolishes barriers of uncertainty and fear; it develops tolerance and mutual understanding. This was admitted by the vast majority (around 90%) of the “Living Library“ participants in their evaluation forms (5 points from 5 on the impact/impression of the event). Also, the same number of people usually indicates that they have learned/gained something new. Also, Readers are being asked if they would recommend trying this method for the others (the absolute majority is very positive about it: Yes or Definitely Yes).

Non-formal evaluation by the Living Books. In order to improve the quality of the method, NSII also held the reflection in group just after the “Living Library“ event. Each time the vast majority of Living Books feel that their participation was beneficial for the readers. However, only in some cases people, who are participating as Living Books, can state that they really changed or broke the stereotype of the persons who came with strong prejudices and stereotypes.

Non-formal evaluation by the Organizers. This Human Rights Education method has started in Lithuania in 2007 as a part of Council of Europe campaign „All different – All equal“. The importance and popularity of Living Library is ever growing in Lithuanian society; in particular, among non-governmental organizations and educational institutions, which are inviting NSII to hold the “Living Library“ event in their school/university/town. Huge positive effect of Living Library urges to ensure succession of this method. NSII has undertaken to develop Living Library as one of its programmes.

NSII has noticed that it is beneficial both for the Readers (who have an opportunity to break their prejudices and to receive a different perspective) and for the Books themselves. 

Books in Living Library are particularly different from the majority of the society. They receive an opportunity to meet new people, share their personal experience and make people think differently towards other people from their group.

Living Library is like an ”idea market“ for the NSII. NSII is sustaining long-term communication/consultations with the people from different groups. As an outcome of such cooperation, NSII started to focus on integration of two socially vulnerable groups – disable people and Roma. NSII is planning to work more actively with immigrants and refugees.