A GLOBAL library movement, which gives visitors the chance to borrow people rather than books, is set to take place at Dudley Library.

The St James's Road library will be hosting the 'Human Library' event on Saturday, allowing readers to take out a 'living book' from a varied catalogue of choices.

The movement, which first began in Denmark in 2000, will see ten everyday borough residents become a book for the day.

Visitors will be able to browse through the living book catalogue in advance of event and reserve the book of their choice.

The borrower will then be able to return to the library on Saturday afternoon, when they will be able to spend half an hour talking to their chosen living book.

Many of the living books are people who have overcome challenges or have led fascinating lives and members of the public will be able to talk to them about the extraordinary journeys they have been on.

The living books include a pensioner who grew up in Gornal during the war years and is now a very active resident in their community and a young person who left school with no qualifications, but is now inspiring others to achieve in education.

Other volunteers who will be sharing their tales during the event, include the Mayor of Dudley, cllr Peter Miller and an Asian woman who set up a group to empower other women.

Councillor David Simms, cabinet member for housing, libraries and adult learning, said: “We’re really pleased that local people are willing to give up their time to take part in this project at the library, I hope it will go a long way in breaking down stereotypes within the community and lead to further events like this in the future.”

For more information and to reserve a Living Book in advance, contact Dudley Library on 01384 815560 between 9am to 7pm.