Yes, But They Look Funny Covered In Due Date Stamps

An innovative program in a library in Holland allows people to "check out" other people-- but not in the sexy way.

The program calls for volunteers to make themselves available for appointments with library patrons, who can "borrow" a volunteer for an hour-long meeting in the library's cafe and ask them anything they want. The volunteers are from minority and subcultures or who represent some misunderstood group, and the aim of the program is to encourage people to overcome their prejudices and misapprehensions by actually meeting and talking to, say, a gay person or a handicapped person.

So far, the program has been extremely popular and well-received. The director of the library is at the moment actively seeking Roma (gypsy) volunteers since two Rom families in the area were recently attacked.

I think this sounds incredibly cool. As a writer, if I had access to such a thing, I'd be at the library constantly just wanting to hear the stories of people who live very different lives than me and mine. And I'd sure be willing to go in and talk to people about any of my fringe-y proclivities. Wonder if this will catch on in America...