Books you’ve read umpteen, but how would you like to read a person? Deblina Saha of Purbasha, near Swabhumi, has explored this idea and will be organising a human library on Sunday where you’ll be able to “read” a sex worker, a gay person, a transgender…

The idea is actually European. “The Human Library” is a concept that started in Denmark in the year 2000. People come to a “library”, but instead of books, pick out people from “shelves” and spend time “reading” them.

“I loved the idea the minute I read about it on the internet,” says Saha, a communication executive. “What’s unique is that the ‘books’ are from taboo or unusual sections of society and the reading session will help society understand them and dispel their prejudices.”

The Human Library has now spread to over 80 countries, including a few cities in India but in Calcutta, Sunday’s session at Rabindra Tirtha from noon, will be a first. In order to host the meet under this banner, one needs permission from the Copenhagen-based organisation and Saha has been corresponding with them for months.

“Actually, a year-and-half,” she says. “When I realised there was no such library in Calcutta I decided to start one. So I wrote to the organisers, filled out forms detailing my intention… The body has strict rules and regulations.”

Once Saha received the licence, she had to begin on an even tougher task — that of gathering ‘books’. Her team sought help from NGOs like Rahi Foundation (that works for child sex abuse survivors) and Durbar Mahila Samanwaya Committee (that works for sex workers) to put them through to brave and inspiring individuals. They have narrowed down to 14 “books”, including a sex worker, domestic violence survivor, a homosexual person, a transgender person, a child sexual abuse survivor, a blind person, a lady sculptor from Kumortuli, a depression survivor, a body- shamed person and a lady solo traveller.

Library visitors will get 25 minutes to read (converse with) a “book” and a reader will get to read up to two “books” on the day. Rules require visitors to leave their mobile phones out, which means no clicking selfies and videos with the “books”. “The library is free for visitors and the ‘books’ are not getting paid either,” says Saha. “They are coming down simply to help others learn about their sections of society.”

The group however requires registration from those who want to come as readers. “We have slots for only 250 readers and all slots have got full. We are very happy with the response,” she says.